Great Falls man sentenced to 20 years in prison for multi-county pursuit

A Great Falls man who led Montana Highway Patrol troopers on a multi-county, high-speed pursuit that resulted in a rollover crash and injuries to a trooper was sentenced to 20 years in Montana State Prison on Wednesday.

Brandon James Belts, 31, appeared for sentencing before Judge Mike Menahan in Lewis and Clark County District Court.

As part of an April plea agreement, Belts pleaded guilty to one count of criminal endangerment, one count of assault with a weapon and one count of aggravated fleeing, according to court documents.

Menahan granted a recommendation that Belts be placed in an intensive outpatient services screening program, though two additional drug-related felony charges were dismissed as part of the plea deal.

“This is the type of crime that I think really puts fear in the hearts of everybody in the community, because anybody could be randomly struck down by somebody who's operating a vehicle with a complete disregard for their safety,” Menahan said.

On Nov. 5, 2025, Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Tierney Weinholz was asked by the Department of Criminal Investigations to assist in a traffic stop near Vaughn for a vehicle driven by Francis Chet Pearson, who was accused of trafficking dangerous drugs to Great Falls, according to court documents.

During the stop, Belts, who was riding passenger, took over the driver’s seat as Pearson was ordered to exit the vehicle. Belts then fled in the Chevrolet Suburban westbound on Highway 200. Pearson was detained and later picked up by a Cascade County deputy, according to the documents.

At the time of the pursuit, Belts was under supervision for strangulation, assault with a weapon and assault on a minor in Yellowstone County, according to court documents.

Traveling across Cascade County and into Lewis and Clark County at speeds up to 100 mph, Belts drove straight into a group of construction workers, forcing them out of the way, officials said.

Law enforcement officers attempted to use spike strips three times, but were unsuccessful.

“There were multiple attempts to stop Mr. Belts, and he put at least two highway patrolmen in danger of being hit,” said prosecutor Ann Penner at the sentencing.

As the pursuit neared Lincoln, MHP Sgt. Zachary Freeman performed a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver, causing the vehicle to roll off the highway and crash into a wooden fence, according to authorities.

After attempting to flee on foot, Belts was tased by authorities and taken into custody. He was later transported to St. Peter’s Hospital, where he was tested for drug impairment. Officials said a trooper was also taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Belts was sentenced to 10 years in prison for criminal endangerment, 20 years for assault with a weapon and five years for aggravated fleeing, all running concurrently for a total of 20 years. At sentencing, he acknowledged his struggles with addiction and apologized to the community.

“I'm sorry that I put people in danger, and I'm grateful nobody was hurt. But I know my apology has to mean something, and I have to put the work behind that so it doesn't happen again,” Belts said.