Teens convicted, sentenced for Columbia Falls school vandalism

One teenager was convicted and another was sentenced recently for their roles in a vandalism incident where walls were spray-painted and windows were shot out at Columbia Falls High School.

Austin Gostnell, 17, told Flathead District Court Judge Robert Allison that he spray-painted the school the night of Sept. 22, 2014. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief.

Gostnell testified that he did not know that his accomplice, Brian Michael Sasser, 18, had brought a BB gun with him. Gostnell said he ran off when Sasser started shooting at school windows.

Sasser pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief earlier this year. He was sentenced Thursday by Flathead District Judge David Ortley.

“Brian will be placed on probation until age 22,” Ortley said at sentencing.

He required the teen to get the equivalent of a high school diploma and establish a budget to pay restitution. Gostnell will be sentenced May 27. The pair caused more than $7,400 in damage.