Man who allegedly threatened casino employees inks pretrial diversion agreement

A Flathead County District Court judge in September dismissed felony charges against a man accused of pulling a knife on casino employees after he reached a pretrial diversion agreement.

Prosecutors initially brought Tyler Jay Walter, 38, up on felony counts of assault with a weapon and tampering with physical evidence following the alleged Aug. 5 confrontation. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment later that month and signed the agreement with prosecutors on Sept. 11. 

Walter must remain law abiding for one year, continue mental health counseling and follow the recommendations of his treatment providers, as per the agreement. He is also barred from the casino where the alleged confrontation took place and prohibited from contacting the two victims. 

Deputy County Attorney Amy Kenison filed a motion to dismiss the case on Sept. 12. Judge Danni Coffman ordered the charges dismissed on behalf of Judge Amy Eddy, who presided over the case, without prejudice that same day. 

Authorities began tracking Walter after responding to a U.S. 93 casino about 8:07 p.m. for a disturbance call. Employees alleged Walter walked in upset and began yelling about a man in a white shirt that he planned to stab. Walter previously was barred from the casino, court documents said. 

Asked to leave by the employees, Walter allegedly threatened them. 

“I’ll stab you guys, too,” Walter said, according to court documents. 

But he allegedly fled after they called 911. Authorities later found him at Lions Park, where he admitted to carrying a blade when he entered the casino, but denied having a knife, court documents said. Despite a search, investigators were unable to recover the knife.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.