Addendum to Aug. 5, 2009, story on Karl Fostvedt arrest and charges
The felony charge of battery of a police officer against Karl Fostvedt was reduced on Sept. 29, 2009, to a misdemeanor charge of battery upon certain personnel as part of a plea agreement with the Blaine County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. According to court records, Fostvedt pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge and was sentenced on Oct. 26, 2009, to 20 days in jail. He also pleaded guilty on Oct. 26, 2009, to the misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana. No additional jail time was imposed.
Also as part of the plea agreement, misdemeanor charges of resisting or obstructing officers, providing false information to police and possession or consumption of alcohol by a minor were dismissed.
A 19-year-old man reportedly hitchhiking Friday night in Hailey got a ride, but not to where he likely wanted to go.
After spending the weekend in jail, Karl Fostvedt, a Hailey resident, was charged Monday with five crimes, one of them a felony for alleging punching a deputy in the face.
Fostvedt's alleged escapade started shortly after 11 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Main and Spruce streets, where Blaine County Sheriff's Deputy Skip Liddle reported he saw Fostvedt trying to hitch a ride out of town. According to the police report, Fostvedt walked onto Main Street in front of a vehicle and waved his arms in an apparent attempt to get the vehicle to stop. Instead, according to the report, the vehicle swerved around Fostvedt, but Deputy Liddle stopped to investigate the situation.
After questioning Fostvedt, who allegedly provided Liddle with a false name, Liddle ended up chasing Fostvedt when he attempted to flee. The deputy caught up when Fostvedt reportedly tripped in the parking lot at the Life Church on Main Street. The sheriff's office reported that as Liddle approached the man, Fostvedt allegedly got up and punched the deputy in the face. He then reportedly ran again and was apprehended after he got tangled in a fence.
Fostvedt was taken to the Blaine County Detention Center.
He was arraigned Monday in Blaine County Magistrate Court on a felony charge of battery on a police officer. He was also charged with misdemeanor crimes of resisting and obstructing arrest, providing false information to a police office, minor consumption of alcohol and possession of marijuana.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Aug. 11. Fostvedt was released from jail later Monday after posting $2,500 bond.
Sheriff's Lt. Jay Davis said Deputy Liddle was not seriously injured.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
