Kalispell man pleads guilty in sex sting case

A Kalispell man admitted Wednesday to responding to an online advertisement posted in August 2015 by undercover officers and expressing interest in sexual activity with an underage girl.

Brett Anthony Cislo, 50, pleaded guilty in Flathead District Court to one felony count of criminal endangerment as part of a plea agreement. He was originally charged with two felony counts of sexual abuse of children. The case had been set for a trial next week.

Cislo gave one-word “yes” or “no” answers to his attorney’s line of questions that established his guilt, and offered little elaboration.

“The bottom line is that there was sexual discussion where you were focused on being able to have sex with a child under age 16,” Cislo’s attorney, David Stufft, said, summarizing the charge.

Cislo thought he was interacting with the 14-year-old girl’s stepmother. He drove past the location where the encounter was supposed to occur, but did not exit the vehicle.

Cislo said he regrets his actions. Stufft said Cislo has sought professional help since the incident.

District Judge David Ortley ordered a psycho-sexual evaluation and pre-sentence investigation.

Sentencing was set for May 26.

Cislo was arrested as part of a larger investigation by agents with the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force that nabbed several individuals.

Reporter Megan Strickland can reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.