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Volunteer alleges sexual assault, termination from Search and Rescue; asks county to investigate
Summary
A former Anaconda Pintler Search and Rescue volunteer told the commission she was raped in March 2025, said the criminal case was dropped for lack of evidence, and said she was later terminated from the volunteer team; she asked the County Attorney and Commission to investigate and to clear her name.
At public comment, Anaconda resident and former Anaconda Pintler Search and Rescue volunteer Angela Haffey recounted an alleged sexual assault that she said occurred March 1–2, 2025, and said she subsequently was terminated from the volunteer team. “I was raped; I was held there and couldn't leave,” Haffey told commissioners, and she said her criminal case was later dropped for lack of evidence.
Haffey said she had reported the incident to Search and Rescue and other local officials and that her treatment after she reported the matter led to her termination from the team. She asked the Commission, the County Attorney, and county leadership to investigate internal department conduct and to provide her an opportunity to rebut the basis for her termination so her name can be cleared. “I would like a chance to have a hearing of my alleged behavior SO my name could be cleared,” she said.
County Attorney Morgan Smith told Haffey she had previously contacted the County Attorney’s office and the Victim Advocate and offered to follow up, while noting some requests appeared to seek personal legal advice. “Some of the information that has been provided to my office is that some of what Ms. Haffey is looking for is personal legal advice which my office is not in a position to do to the extent there are concerns with the process for application or removal from a volunteer position with Search and Rescue,” Morgan Smith said. Morgan Smith offered to follow up but said she would avoid disclosing confidential details in a public forum.
Why it matters: Haffey described allegations of violent crime and raised concerns about how volunteer leadership and county channels handled her report and later personnel actions. Commissioners did not take immediate action during the work session but the County Attorney said she would follow up privately where appropriate.
What’s next: Morgan Smith said the County Attorney’s office would coordinate with the victim advocate and other appropriate offices; Haffey requested a hearing and public clarification of the circumstances that led to her termination.
