Ex-Montana Tech Official Approved for Treatment

Nicholas Bowsher pleaded not guilty on April 4 to 14 charges, most felonies accusing him of possessing a menu of illegal drugs and having intentions to distribute many of them.

The drugs alleged in the charges include ecstasy, LSD, ketamine, cocaine, MDA (a synthetic drug similar to ecstasy) and psilocybin — a psychedelic compound found in “magic mushrooms.”

District Judge Kurt Krueger lowered Bowsher’s bail from $500,000 to $250,000 during the April 4 arraignment and Bowsher posted that bond on April 16 and was released with certain bail restrictions.

Bowsher’s attorney, Charles McIntosh, has since requested two bail modifications — one allowing his client to travel beyond a 15-mile radius to work if he notifies court officials ahead of time. Krueger OK’d that on May 10.

McIntosh then asked that Bowsher be allowed to go to New Jersey for treatment. Prosecutor Ann Shea did not oppose the request and Krueger granted it last week.

Bowsher agreed to return to Butte immediately after treatment was complete and abide by all other bail conditions, including obeying all federal, state, and local laws.

The Montana Standard asked McIntosh about the treatment request on Monday.

“Nick has had a tough year,” McIntosh said. “He is going to get help and come back with the tools to be a better husband and father.”

McIntosh said a program in New Jersey “was the best place to allow him to focus on his treatment” and the length of Bowsher’s stay would depend on how quickly he progresses.

“I look forward to seeing him again later this summer,” McIntosh said.

Shea said the arrangement is not unusual even though felony charges are still pending and the case appears far from over.