Montana News

Hi-Line hitch-hiker in bogus drive-by shooting enters plea agreement

Posted: Oct 29, 2012 7:28 PM by Katie Stukey (katie@krtv.com)

Raymond Dolin, the West Virginia hitch-hiker who reportedly shot himself near Glasgow and then tried to blame it on someone else, has entered a plea agreement.

The state's recommendation for Dolin's felony charge of tampering with evidence is a 4-year deferred sentence and a $1,000 fine.

For two misdemeanor charges of making false reports to law enforcement and obstructing a police officer, Dolin would receive two 6-month suspended sentences that will run concurrently with the 4-year sentence.

He has also been ordered to pay more than $5,500 in restitution to the Valley County Sheriff's office for overtime pay and mileage for the incident.

Originally, Dolin told authorities that he had been randomly shot on June 9th near Glasgow as he was hitch-hiking across the country to write a book about the "kindness of America."

Authorities later arrested and charged Lloyd Christopher Danielson III, 52, for the incident.

When Dolin's story failed to pan out, however, Dolin eventually confessed, admitting that he shot himself.

On June 14th, Danielson was cleared of any involvement in the shooting.

Valley County Sheriff Glenn Meier, who led the investigation, believes Dolin shot himself as a publicity stunt to help promote his book.

Sentencing for Dolin has been scheduled for January 22nd.