MT - Anaconda County commissioner (Robert Pierce) under investigation for alleged sex crime against child

Original Article

02/17/2012

By Jamie Leary

Anaconda County Commissioner Robert Pierce, 51, is under investigation for an alleged sex crime, according to Interim Asst. Police Chief Bill Sather.

The alleged assault reportedly occurred around 4 years ago and involved a female who was 9 years old at the time. The crime was reported Feb. 7. A temporary Order of Protection was filed Feb. 8 against Pierce and served Feb. 10.

Sather says the State has been called in to investigate and a hearing regarding the Order of Protection is set for Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Sather confirmed that Pierce will continue to conduct business at the courthouse per the conditions of the Order of Protection.

The county attorney declined to comment when questioned about the alleged sex crime.

According to the county's website, "As a Commissioner, he [Pierce] focuses on what is best for the residents of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County. He strives to maintain a balanced budget, deal with ARCO/BP Superfund issues, and represent his District the best he can. Commissioner Pierce is a member of the Greenway Service District, the Superfund Negotiation Task Force, the Southwest Regional Juvenile Detention Board, the Commission's Finance Committee, and Commission's Land Use Committee."
- Isn't it ironic how they try to paint someone as a good person, when it's one of their own, but when it's the average citizen, it's the opposite?

In addition to County Commissioner, Pierce works for State Farm in Butte as an insurance agent.