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Firefighter accused of sexually assaulting two women by using "evacuation" pretense

Authorities said that their residence was not in the evacuation zone.
Posted at 3:20 PM, Aug 09, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-10 01:01:13-04

HELENA — Edward Phillip Chevallier, a volunteer firefighter for the Canyon Creek Volunteer Fire Department, is accused of sexually assaulting two teenage women after falsely telling them their residence was being evacuated due to the Horsefly Fire.

According to court documents, the two teens, an 18-year-old and 19-year-old, told the Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s deputies on Tuesday evening that Chevallier came to their home on Tuesday, August 6, and said it was being evacuated.

Authorities said that their residence was not in the evacuation zone.

Court documents allege he then offered the teenagers to stay with him at his home, where they could also house their animals, and they agreed.

While at the property, he is accused of offering the two teens beer, even though they had informed him they were underage, and then groping their chests under their clothing.

Chevallier has been charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of unlawful transactions with children, all misdemeanors.

Lewis & Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton told MTN News that Chevallier has been suspended from the Canyon Creek Volunteer Fire Department, pending an investigation.