Standoff suspect sentenced

SANDPOINT — A Coeur d’Alene man who came perilously close to being shot during an armed standoff with law enforcement was given a suspended prison term and placed on probation on Friday.

Codi Michael Muskrat apologized for his actions when he was sentenced in 1st District Court, records show.

Muskrat, 25, was charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault on a law officer in connection with the Jan. 10 standoff on the north side of town.

The incident began with an altercation between Muskrat and a relative outside a Ponderay gas station, according to police reports in the case. Muskrat fled into the woods when the altercation continued inside a vehicle.

Muskrat was found on the porch of a Maddie Lane home with what appeared to be an assault weapon in his lap. Muskrat allegedly threatened to shoot Sandpoint Police Officer Ben Koester and Bonner County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Littrell as the relative pleaded for Muskrat to surrender peacefully, the reports said.

Muskrat had the muzzle of the weapon in his mouth at one point. The standoff resolved without bloodshed when Littrell sneaked up on Muskrat and pinned him in the deck chair he was sitting in, court records indicate.

The gun turned out to be a .22-caliber, although it was styled to look like a more powerful rifle.

Bonner County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Shane Greenbank said Muskrat would likely had been killed if not for the relative’s involvement, court records show. He recommended concurrent two- to five-year terms.

Deputy Public Defender Jeremi Ossman recommended a lesser sentence, emphasizing that Muskrat has made meaningful progress in getting his life on track, court records indicate. Ossman also noted that a presentence investigation rated Muskrat a low recidivism risk.

Judge Barbara Buchanan agreed that Muskrat had indeed made progress, which influenced her decision to suspend the custodial term, according to court records. Muskrat spent 193 days of pretrial incarceration.

Muskrat was fined $500, placed on probation for three years and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service.