Valley Journal
Valley Journal

This Week’s e-Edition

Current Events

Latest Headlines

What's New?

Send us your news items.

NOTE: All submissions are subject to our Submission Guidelines.

Announcement Forms

Use these forms to send us announcements.

Birth Announcement
Obituary

George found guilty of rape

Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local. You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.



Subscribe now to stay in the know!

Already a subscriber? Login now

POLSON — An Elmo man has been found guilty of rape by way of a plea agreement. Tristan Tesh Palouse George, 22, entered a “no contest” plea at District Court in Polson Feb. 24 to sexual intercourse without consent. In a “no contest” plea, a defendant concedes the case based on the state’s evidence. It still results in a conviction.

According to court records, on June 23, 2021, a woman reported to law enforcement that she had been raped by George, an acquaintance she knew from high school. She told responding investigators that she and George had met up through social media and agreed to hang out at the Elmo docks that day. She said after consuming alcohol together she momentarily “blacked out.” She said the next thing she remembered was George touching her inappropriately before blacking out again. When she awakened a second time, George was pulling off her pants and proceeding to rape her. She said she was too intoxicated to give consent or fully understand what was happening.

George’s attorney, Justin Kalmbach of Polson, told the court that his client was intoxicated when the incident occurred and didn’t remember what happened, thus the “no contest” plea.

The plea agreement calls for a joint recommendation of sentencing being deferred for six years. Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher set sentencing for April 14. George is at liberty.

Sponsored by: