Man accused of threatening woman on hiking trail

A woman walking on a trail in the Big Sky area encountered a stranger who told her he would remove her from the Earth and take her soul, according to allegations filed in county justice court.

The accused, 36-year-old Matthew Lawrence Stern, was arrested on June 15 following an investigation that began when the woman called 911 that afternoon.

“Stern confronted a female on a walking path along Lone Mountain Trail twice,” reads a complaint filed by a sheriff’s deputy. “First confrontation, Stern told victim he would remove her from this earth and take her soul. Second confrontation, Stern told victim to stop following him and victim said she was calling 911. Stern turned around and walked away. Female victim said she was scared Stern would kill her. Victim is a slightly built older female. Stern is well over 6 feet tall, athletically built, and 37 years old.”

The deputy advised Stern be prosecuted under state law 45-5-201(1)(d), which provides a penalty of up to six months in the county jail and a $500 fine for someone who “purposely or knowingly causes reasonable apprehension of bodily injury in another,” in the statute’s language.

“It appears Stern may suffer from some mental illness,” the complaint reads. “In addition to the confrontation, Stern was seen praying while walking, had rocks (which he called crystals) in his pocket, and said he was a sovereign citizen who only had identification from the Department of State. Stern was arrested on this offense and an outstanding warrant from MHP for traffic offense.”

It’s alleged Stern committed this offense at about 12:45 p.m. Monday. He reportedly resides in the area of Big Sky Mountain Village.

His arrest warrant was related to pending charges of driving without insurance and driving without a valid license, according to court records.

Stern was no longer in the Gallatin County jail as of Tuesday, public records indicate. Bail bond information wasn’t immediately available.