Emergency room doctor charged with sexual assault of Missoula patient

(Missoula Current) The Missoula County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against a doctor on multiple counts of sexual assault on patients being treated at a local emergency room, and the county is urging others with information to contact law enforcement.

According to an indictment filed by the district attorney earlier this month, Dr. Tyler James Hurst attacked several patients during treatment in the emergency room at Community Medical Center in 2023.

Hurst is currently charged with one felony count of sexual intercourse without consent, two felony counts of sexual assault and one felony count of sexual assault.

If convicted, Hurst faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in Montana State Prison on the felony charge and up to one year and six months in the Missoula County Detention Center on the misdemeanor charge, according to the district attorney.

He also faces a maximum fine of $61,500.

“Hurst was employed by a local medical group that contracted with Community Medical Center to provide services,” the county said in a statement Thursday. “Community Medical Center has revoked his clinical privileges and the hospital has cooperated with the ongoing investigation.”

Assistant District Attorney Brielle Lande is prosecuting the case and anyone with additional information, including patients who may have had similar experiences, should contact Missoula Police Detective Devin Erickson at 406-552-6291.