Man gets 110 years for Flathead County homicide

KALISPELL, Mont. – A Flathead County man that prosecutors called a “drug enforcer” has been sentenced to 110 years in prison for the stabbing death of a man whose body was left in a creek near Creston.

KTMF-TV reports 29-year-old Robert Wittal was sentenced Tuesday for the May 26 death of 35-year-old Wade Rautio.

Wittal was convicted of deliberate homicide in October.

A co-defendant led deputies to a spot where he said Rautio was killed. Prosecutors told jurors that Wittal killed Rautio in his role as an enforcer for drug dealer, Melisa Crone.

Wittal testified that Crone wanted Rautio dead because he had stolen from her and to demonstrate her power. Wittal testified he warned Rautio to leave town.

Three others, including Crone, have pleaded not guilty to accountability to deliberate homicide in Rautio’s death.