Powell County man charged in case involving high school student
HELENA, Mont. — Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced that prosecutors charged a Powell County man with sexual assault in a case involving a high school student.
HELENA, Mont. — Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced that prosecutors charged a Powell County man with sexual assault in a case involving a high school student.
John Austin Micu, 42, was charged Wednesday, according to the attorney general’s office. The case centered on allegations involving a student and a member of the Powell County High School wrestling team.
The attorney general’s office said the case was being handled by Assistant Attorney General Meghann Paddock.
Investigators said Helena Police received a report in March 2025 alleging sexual misconduct involving Micu.
In April 2025, agents with the Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation interviewed Micu. The attorney general’s office said he admitted during that interview to having sexual intercourse with the student.
At the time of the alleged offense, Micu worked as a captain with the Powell County Sheriff’s Office and as head wrestling coach at Powell County High School. Micu resigned from Deer Lodge School District on March 7, 2025. He also resigned from the Powell County Sheriff’s Office in June.
The attorney general’s office said the Division of Criminal Investigation completed the investigation after initial investigative work by the Deer Lodge Police Department.