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Bozeman man allegedly flees police, resists arrest while under influence of drugs

Posted at 1:11 PM, May 20, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-20 15:32:19-04

BOZEMAN, Mont. – A Bozeman man is accused of resisting arrest after allegedly leading law enforcement on a vehicle pursuit while under the influence of drugs on Friday.

Jeremiah Zentner, 39, appeared in Gallatin County Justice Court on Monday. His bail was set at $30,000.

(MTN photo)

According to court documents, around 6 p.m. Friday a deputy sheriff with the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a report that Zentner was loitering on a property in the 7500 block of Stagecoach Trail Road.

The caller reportedly stated Zentner was “high on something” and confronted him, at which point Zentner began swearing at the caller and drove off, nearly running off the road.

The deputy reported that a Manhattan police officer conducted a traffic stop after locating Zentner’s vehicle around 6:15 p.m. on Churchill Road. According to the officer, Zentner was driving in the wrong lane of travel.

The deputy arrived on scene, court documents state, and was speaking with the officer when Zentner fled in his vehicle. The deputy stated he pursued Zentner, who was reportedly swerving and crossing the center line while driving approximately 90 miles per hour in a 70-mph zone.

Zentner allegedly stopped on Churchill Road near White Road and was ordered out of his vehicle by the deputy. Zentner refused to exit his vehicle and sped off again, according to court documents.

A Montana Highway Patrol trooper located Zentner’s vehicle again on Churchill Road near Amsterdam Road and began a pursuit, joined by the reporting deputy. Court documents state Zentner eventually stopped his vehicle and exited near the intersection of Western Skies Drive and Dyk Road after continuing to flee pursuit for several miles.

Zentner allegedly continued to refuse commands and began walking back toward his vehicle after exiting. A second deputy arrived on scene and took Zentner to the ground before he could re-enter his vehicle, according to court documents.

The reporting deputy stated Zentner resisted arrest by “physically clinching his arms under his body.” He was eventually placed under arrest, after which the deputy reported finding a syringe in Zentner’s right front pocket.

Zentner was transported to the Gallatin County Detention Center after being cleared for injuries and having blood drawn at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.

Zenter is charged with driving under the influence (3rd offense), fleeing a peace officer, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest. His next court date is set for July 24.

Additional reporting by Emma Hamilton, MTN News