Five months for assaulting nurse, cop, burglary

NEWPORT — A man who pleaded guilty to third degree assault of a law enforcement officer, third degree assault of a health care worker and burglary was sentenced to five months in jail by Pend Oreille County Superior Court Judge Lisa Malpass Thursday, Aug. 7 In exchange for the pleas several other charges, were dismissed or not filed.

Tony A. Lambert, 25, said he didn’t remember assaulting a nurse but was sorry if he did. He said he didn’t punch a police chief. He also said he had a valid member’s card that allowed him into a local gym he was charged with burglarizing.

Still, he pleaded guilty to those charges in a global settlement that saw a felony jail riot charge not filed and six other charges dismissed in exchange for the pleas. Those included three harassment charges, possessing a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest.

When asked by Malpass if he was pleading to take advantage of the plea bargain, Lambert said yes.

Defense attorney Brett Billingsly said global settlements are usually entered into to take advantage of a plea deal.

Lambert was sentenced to five months in jail to be served concurrently on all the charges, along with 12 months community custody. Malpass found him indigent for purposes of fines and court costs, but he would still be responsible of restitution, if any is requested.

The jail riot charge stemmed from a July 17 event in the jail in which he and Frederic Hamberg soaped themselves up so they couldn’t be grabbed and defied jailors until a flashbang grenade was used to distract them and subdue them.

The burglary involved a local gym in which Lambert entered and used the equipment, and another unauthorized person came in and allegedly stole some things.

The assault of the nurse involved Lambert being charged with intentionally scratching a nurse when he was intoxicated and being treated in the hospital in August 2024. Lambert said he had suffered a seizure and didn’t remember the incident. According to the statement of probable cause, he was intoxicated, and he admitted in court to having been drinking. He pleaded guilty to third degree assault of a health care worker for the incident.

The third degree-assault on a law enforcement officer stemmed from a June event where he was chased by Newport Police Chief Wade Nelson into a house in Newport. The homeowner assisted Nelson and Pend Oreille County Sheriff Glenn Blakeslee in subduing and arresting Lambert.

Malpass said she would accept the pleas, partially because Lambert was so young. She made sure he was pleading guilty willingly. Both Lambert and Billingsly agreed that he was.