Montana deputy found justified in Taser use on elderly man

BILLINGS – The Montana Department of Justice has determined that a sheriff’s deputy was justified in his use of force against an 84-year-old man who was shocked several times with a stun gun.

The Billings Gazette reported Monday that the Wheatland County deputy used a Taser on Richard “Dick” Stoltz after pulling the Harlowton man over in March. Stoltz was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and has pleaded not guilty in the case.

Sheriff David Jones had requested the Justice Department look into the traffic stop.

Mike McCarthy with the department’s Montana Law Enforcement Academy concluded that Deputy Michael Barrett did not use excessive force against Stoltz. He found that Stoltz exhibited aggressive behavior during the incident, refused to follow commands and resisted arrest.