Probation violations put former Whitefish man behind bars
A former Whitefish resident who assaulted a man with a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer bottle is now behind bars for violating the conditions of his parole.
Michael Shane Gesek, 34, was sentenced March 19 in Flathead District Court to serve four years in state prison.
Gesek originally pleaded guilty by way of Alford plea to charges of felony criminal endangerment stemming from an Oct. 29, 2012 incident in downtown Whitefish.
According to court documents, Gesek allegedly punched a driver with The Ride Guy taxi service then grabbed a beer bottle and hit the driver in the back of the head.
Police responded and found the driver bleeding from the head, documents state.
Gesek fled the scene but was later apprehended by officers. He allegedly attempted to bite an officer as he resisted arrest.
For the beer bottle assault, Gesek was sentenced to four years in prison, with all four years suspended.
He later moved from Whitefish to Libby where he was found to have violated the conditions of his probation on multiple counts, court documents state.
On Aug. 11, 2014 Libby police arrested Gesek for consuming alcohol while on probation. While being transported, he allegedly head-butted the partition in the patrol vehicle, cutting his head.
On Nov. 16, 2014, Gesek again was arrested for consuming alcohol while on probation. While being booked he was allegedly found to have marijuana on his possession.
On Jan. 9, Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies went to Gesek’s home to serve a citation for the booking incident. While at the front door, deputies smelled marijuana smoke.
The deputies called Gesek’s probation officer who asked Gesek who was smoking marijuana. Gesek allegedly replied “that is me.” He was taken to the Lincoln County Jail.
Gesek also was found in violation of his parole for failure to pay fines to the Columbia Falls City Court. The court had issued a warrant for Gesek for DUI, obstructing a peace officer, careless driving, no insurance and a seat belt violation.