Welfare check leads to barricade situation in U.S. 2 hotel

A man who allegedly barricaded himself inside a hotel room earlier this month while suffering an apparent mental health crisis is now facing multiple charges in Flathead County District Court.  

Prosecutors have charged Christopher Richard Deskus, 58, with felony criminal endangerment and a misdemeanor count of obstructing a peace officer. Held in the county jail with bail set at $190,000, Deskus is expected to appear before Judge Dan Wilson for his arraignment on April 24.  

Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies confronted Deskus after receiving an April 7 welfare check request from his fiancée, according to court documents. She pointed them to a U.S. 2 East hotel near Glacier Park International Airport.  

While en route, deputies heard from hotel employees, who accused Deskus of harassing front desk staff, and learned that Deskus was taken to an area hospital for a voluntary mental health hold the night prior after he was found lying down in the middle of U.S. 2 near Columbia Falls.  

Approaching Deskus' room in the hotel, authorities could hear him speaking on the phone. After knocking on the door and announcing themselves, deputies told Deskus to exit the room. He refused and shouted that he would "take action to defend himself" if they tried to enter, court documents said.  

Deskus' fiancée confirmed to deputies that she was on the phone with him prior to their arrival. She said he had a gun and did not believe he was speaking with law enforcement, according to court documents.  

Meanwhile, deputies could hear what sounded like Deskus moving furniture around the room, court documents said. They could also hear him yelling and swearing.  

Using a drone, they saw that Deskus had barricaded himself inside the room and was aiming a gun at the door, according to court documents.  

Although Deskus allegedly remained resistant to exiting the room, he surrendered to law enforcement about 7:38 p.m., according to court documents.  

A subsequent search of the hotel room allegedly turned up two pistols, ammunition and several spent casings on the bed and floor. Deskus allegedly told deputies he had fired a round in the room and investigators later concluded he had shot one of the magazines.  

Criminal endangerment is punishable by up to 10 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. Misdemeanor obstructing a peace officer carries a maximum penalty of six months in county jail and a $500 fine. 

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