Helena man charged after pickup allegedly strikes juvenile during dog dispute

Prosecutors charged Judson Lee Brown, 52, of Helena on Jan. 12 with felony assault with a weapon and felony criminal endangerment, alleging an altercation tied to a family dog in July resulted in two people being struck by Brown’s pickup. Court documents cited in the charging papers say one victim, a juvenile female, jumped onto the truck’s hood as Brown drove at speeds witnesses described as reaching 50 mph. Brown also faces misdemeanor counts for marijuana and paraphernalia possession.

The charging documents reflect differing witness accounts and note Brown’s denial that he drove unsafely. Investigators continue to gather evidence and the matter remains under active investigation. As in all criminal cases, Brown is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Local prosecutors elevated the case to felonies because the allegations involve a motor vehicle used in a way that put multiple people at risk, including a juvenile. Felony criminal endangerment and felony assault with a weapon carry heightened scrutiny from law enforcement and the courts when an alleged act creates a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. The presence of a juvenile victim also factors into charging and investigative priorities for county authorities.

The incident highlights policy and institutional questions for Lewis and Clark County. Animal-related disputes can escalate into public safety incidents when parties use vehicles or other tools to confront one another. The case will likely prompt scrutiny of how officers document scenes, collect witness statements, preserve video or physical evidence and coordinate with the county attorney’s office on charging decisions. It also raises questions about access to nonpolice interventions for domestic animal conflicts—mediation, animal control response and community-based conflict resolution—that may reduce the chance of violent escalation.

For Helena residents, the immediate impact is twofold: concern for the victims and a reminder that neighborhood disputes can endanger bystanders and children. Parents and caregivers should remain alert to volatile situations involving animals and avoid intervening when a vehicle is involved. Those who witness dangerous incidents are reminded that timely reporting and, where possible, gathering identifying details and video can be crucial to investigators.

The takeaway? Keep kids clear of heated confrontations, document unsafe behavior when it’s safe to do so, and let authorities handle volatile disputes. Local officials will have to answer whether current animal-control and conflict-resolution options are sufficient to prevent similar episodes in the future.