Former Great Falls Teacher Convicted of Child Sexual Assault in County

A state district court jury found Michael Walter Jarrett guilty on two felony counts related to sexual abuse of a minor in Lewis and Clark County. The verdict was delivered Jan. 2, 2026; a sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2026, before Judge Mike Menehan. Some identifying information is being withheld to protect the victim’s identity.

Jarrett had been an active teacher at North Middle School in Great Falls until 2024, when allegations surfaced. Prosecutors said the criminal acts occurred years earlier in Lewis and Clark County and did not involve any students who attended North Middle School. The case separates the timing and location of the alleged offenses from Jarrett’s most recent employment, but his role as a classroom teacher until last year has intensified local attention.

For parents, educators and local officials, the conviction crystallizes several governance and policy questions. First, it places renewed emphasis on vetting and monitoring of employees who interact with children. Local school boards and administrators must balance privacy and due process in employment actions with obligations to protect students and maintain public confidence. Second, the case underscores the role of mandatory reporting and the need for clear channels that allow members of the public, school staff and students to raise concerns promptly and safely.

Community trust is a central concern. Even when criminal conduct predates recent employment or involves individuals outside a given school’s student body, revelations of abuse by someone who served in a classroom can erode confidence in institutions charged with child welfare. Residents should expect school districts and county officials to review procedures for background checks, training on recognizing and reporting abuse, and communication strategies that inform families without compromising investigations or victims’ privacy.

The upcoming sentencing will determine Jarrett’s penalties under state law. In the meantime, community leaders, educators and parents in Lewis and Clark County face decisions about policy adjustments and outreach to reassure families and strengthen protections for children. Local civic engagement—attending school board meetings, asking elected officials about prevention measures, and ensuring support services for victims—will shape how institutions respond and rebuild trust following this conviction.