Montana Firefighter Facing Sexual Assault Charges

A Montana firefighter is facing criminal charges for falsely telling two young women they needed to evacuate due to an approaching wildland fire, and then sexually assaulting them.

Edward Chevallier, 55, is facing a total of four charges stemming from an evacuation order he gave to the women which he attributed to the Horesefly fire. Chevallier, a member of the Canyon Creek Volunteer Fire Department, offered to allow the women to stay with him. The women, who were 18 and 19, accepted his offer and brought their dogs and horses with them.

Once settled at Chevallier’s house, he provided them with alcohol despite knowing they were underage. According to the women, he groped their chests. Chevallier has been suspended from the Canyon Creek Volunteer Fire Department. He is facing two misdemeanor sexual assault counts and two misdemeanor counts of unlawful transactions with children.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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