Deputy Douglas Hartsell exhibited a pattern of misconduct over several years. In 2005, he was suspended without pay for six weeks after a DUI arrest in Ravalli County, which led to the dismissal of charges against individuals he had previously arrested for DUI. In April 2017, an internal investigation substantiated allegations of poor judgment and ineffective traffic stop procedures. In June 2017, Hartsell was involved in an incident where he nearly strangled a handcuffed prisoner, Brandon Shea, to death. Despite multiple interventions by fellow deputies, Hartsell continued the assault. He was charged with a felony but entered into a deferred prosecution agreement, avoiding significant legal consequences. Hartsell’s superiors were aware of his behavior but failed to take decisive action until the near-fatal incident. ([zoomchron.com](https://zoomchron.com/2020/06/26/missoula-county-sheriffs-deputy-douglas-hartsell-was-a-loose-cannon-for-years-his-superiors-knew-it-but-nothing-happened-until-he-almost-strangled-a-prisoner-to-death/?utm_source=openai))

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