HELENA, Mont. (NMB) – MTN News reports that Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Kathy Seeley has reluctantly accepted a plea agreement that will see a Helena man pay a small fine after allegedly assaulting employees Helena restaurant in 2020 when he refused to wear a mask.
Rodney Robert, 45, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and will pay a total of $175 in fines and court fees.
A felony assault charge, and misdemeanor assault and concealed carry charges were dropped pursuant to the plea agreement.
According to court documents, Rodney Robert, 45, assaulted two employees and displayed a holstered gun last November after being asked to wear a mask while the statewide mandate was in place.
John Schneider, the restaurant manager, spoke at Thursday’s hearing and expressed frustration at the plea deal, saying the Attorney General’s Office didn’t contact him until after the deal, which he considers insufficient, was brokered.
The Attorney General’s Office took over the case from County Attorney Leo Gallagher after he refused to drop the concealed carry charges.
The alleged concealed carry portion of the incident was made legal by a law passed by the 2021 legislature allowing people to now conceal carry in more locations, including restaurants.
