Former Polson Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse and Incest

HELENA, MT — In a significant legal development, Matthew Timm, a former Polson police officer, pleaded guilty to charges of sexual abuse of children and incest. The guilty plea was entered in the Twentieth Judicial District Court in Lake County, underlined by Montana’s Attorney General Austin Knudsen.

Timm, aged 42, admitted to the heinous acts of photographing and filming a minor between January 2017 and March 2023. The discovery of a flash drive containing disturbing images of the underage victim, found in her residence, precipitated the charges of sexual abuse.

The victim, now in high school, disclosed that Timm began abusing her sexually around the age of 12 or 13. She reported horrific details of Timm secretly installing recording devices in her bathroom. In a distressing recount of ongoing abuse, she indicated the abuse continued into her high school years.

Following negotiations, prosecutors and Timm agreed to a 40-year sentence with 30 years suspended, committing Timm to serve 10 years in prison entirely without the possibility of parole. The formal sentencing is scheduled for July 10 at the Polson courthouse.

The case was prosecuted by the Prosecution Services Bureau Chief Daniel Guzynski, assisted by Assistant Attorney General Caitlin Creighton, and involved in-depth investigations by the Division of Criminal Investigation and Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Full details on the charges and plea agreement are available through the Montana Attorney General’s Office links provided in their official announcement.