FILED05/06/2021

Missoula County

Justice Court of Record
STATE OF MONTANA
By: Anneliese
__________________
Brown
BRITTANY L. WILLIAMS CR-610-2021-0001750
Holloway, Landee N.
Deputy County Attorney
KIRSTEN H. PABST
Missoula County Attorney
Missoula County Courthouse
Missoula, Montana 59802
(406) 258-4737
ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF

IN THE JUSTICE COURT OF RECORD OF MISSOULA COUNTY,

STATE OF MONTANA
STATE OF MONTANA, Department No.
Cause No.
Plaintiff,
-vs- COMPLAINT
ERIN MICHELLE BETTS,
Defendant.
BRITTANY L. WILLIAMS, Deputy County Attorney, deposes and says

that on or about May 4th, 2021, in Missoula County, the Defendant

committed the offense of:

COUNT I: ARSON, a Felony, in violation of § 45-6-103, MCA,

punishable by 20 years MSP and/or $50,000 fine; COUNT II:

AGGRAVATED ANIMAL CRUELTY, a Felony, in violation of § 45-8-217,

MCA, punishable by 2 years MSP and a fine not to exceed $2,500; COUNT

III: AGGRAVATED ANIMAL CRUELTY, a Felony, in violation of § 45-8-217,

MCA, punishable by 2 years MSP and a fine not to exceed $2,500.

The facts constituting the offense are:

 COUNT I: On or about May 4th, 2021, Defendant committed the

offense of arson when, by means of fire or explosives, she knowingly or

purposely: damaged or destroyed a home that exceeded $1,500 in value

and that was the property of Katherine and Brian Betts, without consent.

COUNT II: On or about May 4th, 2021, Defendant committed the

offense of aggravated animal cruelty when she purposely or knowingly

killed or inflicted cruelty to an animal with the purpose of terrifying, torturing

or mutilating the animal.

COUNT III: On or about May 4th, 2021, Defendant committed the

offense of aggravated animal cruelty when she purposely or knowingly

killed or inflicted cruelty to an animal with the purpose of terrifying, torturing

or mutilating the animal.

DATED this 6th day of May, 2021.

/s/ Brittany L. Williams

BRITTANY L. WILLIAMS
Deputy County Attorney

COMPLAINT 21-1281

BRYCE BARE, Missoula City Police Dept

BRANDON J. GEHER, Missoula City Police Dept
45-6-103 ~ Arson
 FILED05/06/2021
Missoula County

Justice Court of Record
STATE OF MONTANA
By: Anneliese
__________________
Brown
BRITTANY L. WILLIAMS CR-610-2021-0001750
Holloway, Landee N.
Deputy County Attorney
KIRSTEN H. PABST
Missoula County Attorney
Missoula County Courthouse
Missoula, Montana 59802
(406) 258-4737
ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF

IN THE JUSTICE COURT OF RECORD OF MISSOULA COUNTY,

STATE OF MONTANA

STATE OF MONTANA, Dept.

Plaintiff, Cause No.
-vs-
ERIN MICHELLE BETTS, AFFIDAVIT OF PROBABLE CAUSE
Defendant.

STATE OF MONTANA )
: ss
County of Missoula )

BRITTANY L. WILLIAMS, Deputy County Attorney, Montana, being first

duly sworn upon oath, deposes and says:

I have read the law enforcement reports regarding the investigation of

ERIN MICHELLE BETTS for allegedly committing the offense of:

COUNT I: ARSON, a felony, in violation of § 45-6-103, MCA;

COUNT II: AGGRAVATED ANIMAL CRUELTY, a felony, in violation of

§ 45-8-217, MCA;
 COUNT III: AGGRAVATED ANIMAL CRUELTY, a felony, in violation of

§ 45-8-217, MCA.

I believe that the facts as set forth in the law enforcement reports, if true,

constitute sufficient probable cause to justify the filing of the charges. Those

facts are as follows:

On or about the 4th day of May, 2021, Missoula City Officers were

dispatched to a report of a fire at 930 Stoddard St in Missoula County, a home

belonging to Brian and Katherine Betts. While en route, Officer Ferris observed

a female running south over the Scott Street Bridge, he recognized the female

from previous contacts as Erin Betts, the above-named Defendant.

Once Officer Ferris arrived on scene, he recalled that the Defendant’s

parents lived in the area and that he knew at times, the Defendant had not been

allowed at her parent’s home and had been criminally trespassed. Officer Ferris

observed the house was engulfed in fire, the damage to the home is expected to

be a total loss. Officers were also informed by the fire investigator that two dogs

belonging to Brian and Katherine Betts had perished in the fire. Officer Ferris

spoke with Robert Stratton, a witness, who stated he had heard an explosion

and when he came out to see what had happened, he observed a person

running from the house. Stratton stated the individual was wearing red and had

quickly left the scene.

 Officer Geher was dispatched to search for the Defendant after receiving

information from Officer Ferris. Officer Geher located the Defendant at the

Poverello Center. He noted the Defendant was wearing a long sleeved, red

sport style jersey and had short hair, as he approached the Defendant he noted

and overwhelming odor of gasoline. Officer Geher asked the Defendant to step

outside and speak with him, which she did. The Defendant stated she had been

at the Poverello for approximately 15 minutes and stated she had been “on the

northside” and that she had seen “a whole bunch of smoke and started to run.”

She stated she ran over the bridge and the smoke was behind her. While

speaking with the Defendant, Officer Geher noted the Defendant’s hair

appeared to have been singed. Officers recalled that the Defendant’s parent’s

home was in the immediate area she was describing, and she was placed under

arrest and transported for an interview.

Detectives Bare and Erickson met with the Defendant at the police station

and after reading the Defendant her Miranda warning, she agreed to provide a

statement. It was noted that the Defendant smelled strongly of gasoline and

appeared to have singed her hair along the front side of her hea and it appeared

her eyebrows were nearly completely missing and her eyelashes were short

stubs and appeared slightly curled from what detectives believed was heat.

Detective Erickson asked the Defendant why she believed she was at the

station, to which she replied she “saw the smoke” and ended up at the Pov. The
Defendant gave vague details of her day, but did state she was near the railroad

tracks and the Scott Street bridge when she observed the smoke. The

Defendant stated she ran from the smoke to avoid getting into trouble, stating

she believed she would be in trouble for being the only person in the area of

smoke, stating she would be a “person of interest.” The Defendant further stated

she likely smelled of gasoline from being in the area of the fire. After describing

that her family did not want contact with her and how that upset her, the

Defendant became physically escalated, slamming her fists on the table and

described herself as “a young little boy.” The Defendant concluded the interview

by asking for an attorney stating “where’s my attorney, I don’t need to talk to you

without no mother-fuckin’ attorney. I’m gonna burn all the shit down, what the

fuck you gonna do about it!” She further screamed that she had dreams about

burning down the police department.

Detective Bare also spoke with a subsequent witness, Tiffany Klang, who

stated she lives Stoddard Street as well and she stated she heard a very loud

explosion and stated it shook her house and rattled her dishes. Klang stated this

type of disturbance was different than when the nearby trains pass by, she

stated it was much louder and she thought possibly a car crash had occurred

outside. Klang exited her home and observed what appeared to be a teenage

boy, standing in front of the burning residence and Klang noted the individual

appeared to be ambling slowly and did not look as though he had a purposeful
direction. Klang stated she watched the boy for a short time ans stated he was

very close to the house and believed he may have been next to the house

during the explosion. Klang then observed the male run from the fire, west

towards Scott Street.

Klang described the teenage male as very pale, with strawberry blonde to

red hair, approximately 5’10” and lanky. Klang stated she did not fully remember

what the male was wearing, but remembered a white baseball cap, clothing that

was two toned in white and possibly orange and possibly a jacket. Officers also

noted that this physical description is a physical match for the Defendant, she

appears very young in age, has light colored hair, cut very short and has a petite

frame.

DATED this 6th day of May, 2021.

/s/ Brittany L. Williams

BRITTANY L. WILLIAMS
Deputy County Attorney

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me, a Justice of the Peace, in

and for the State of Montana, County of Missoula.

Electronically Signed By:

Hon. Judge Landee Holloway
Thu, May 06 2021 01:21:12 PM
 FILED 05/06/2021
Missoula County

Justice Court of Record
STATE OF MONTANA
By: Anneliese
__________________
Brown
Missoula County Justice Court CR-610-2021-0001750
Holloway, Landee N.
200 W. Broadway
Missoula MT 59802
(406) 258-3470

IN THE JUSTICE COURT OF RECORD OF MISSOULA COUNTY,

STATE OF MONTANA

STATE OF MONTANA, Dept.

Plaintiff, Cause No.
-vs-
ERIN MICHELLE BETTS, ORDER OF PROBABLE CAUSE
Defendant.

The Court has reviewed the Affidavit of Probable Cause filed by the

State and finds that there is probable cause to believe the Defendant

committed charged offense(s).

Electronically Signed and Dated Below.

Electronically Signed By:

Hon. Judge Landee Holloway
Thu, May 06 2021 01:21:12 PM