Men Charged Under State’s Hate Crime Law

Felony charges have been filed against three young men accused of defacing signs by plastering them with stickers that carried messages against the Church Universal and Triumphant.

The defendants were charged under Montana’s law against hate crimes, Park County Attorney Tara DePuy said.

Five people have been charged in the vandalism that occurred last weekend, but the cases of two will be handled in Youth Court, DePuy said. The defendants also face misdemeanor charges in connection with school-bus vandalism and other crimes in Gardiner.

DePuy said charges were filed against Michael Brewster, 18, and David Nye, 19, both of Mammoth Hot Springs; Thomas Tschida, 20, of Gardiner; a juvenile from Gardiner; and a juvenile from Lewistown.

DePuy said stickers posted last weekend on public road signs and church property read, “NO, I am not a member of CUT.” The first and last words were in larger print, and from a distance, the stickers appeared to say “NO CUT.” Dozens of the stickers were used, DePuy said.

She said the activity fits “perfectly” under Montana’s law against hate crimes. The maximum penalty is five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.