Wardle gets prison in Catherine Sorensen case

Wardle pleaded guilty in June to one of two witness tampering charges pursuant to a plea deal that called for the dismissal of a felony strangulation charge, a misdemeanor charge of destroying or tampering with a communication device, two counts of misdemeanor assault, and the second count of witness tampering, all stemming from the same Jan. 25, 2022, incident.

As part of the same deal, Wardle also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of violating a protective order related to a separate criminal case. As part of the plea deal, this misdemeanor was reduced from a felony stalking charge.

Eighteenth District Judge John C. Brown had issued a permanent order of protection against Wardle on Nov. 8, 2025, after a complainant seeking the order accused Wardle of harassment, bullying, threats, defamation, and stalking. He and the complainant are in litigation unrelated to the Sorensen matter. After the order of protection was granted, the complainant accused Wardle of bringing negative attention to her and her business, which led to the stalking charge.

The plea deal had called for Wardle to serve probation through concurrent, suspended sentences of six months and two years. The judge didn't participate in the plea deal and wasn't bound by it. 

In determining the sentence, the Breuner considered Wardle’s criminal history, his conduct during more than four years of pretrial supervision, victim and family member testimony, and a Montana Offender Reentry and Risk Assessment completed through the Montana Department of Corrections, according to a Friday press release from the Gallatin County Attorney's Office.

Wardle had one prior DUI conviction from the early 1990s and otherwise had no prior criminal history, according to his attorney and the county attorney's office.

“Mr. Wardle now has a felony conviction and will spend part of his sentence in custody, followed by continued supervision by the Department of Corrections,” said Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell in the press release. “After his custodial time, he will be required to report to his probation officer, follow strict conditions, not use or own any weapons, participate in treatment, remain sober, and comply with significant restrictions on his conduct. If he violates those conditions, there will be consequences.”

As part of the suspended portion of his sentence, Wardle will be supervised by the Montana Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole Division, according to Cromwell's office. He also will be required to report to his probation officer as directed and comply with the rules and conditions of supervision, which include obtaining approval before changing his residence and permission before leaving his assigned district. His residence must be available for home visits by his probation officer, and, upon reasonable suspicion, he is subject to searches of his person, vehicle, and residence.

Wardle is prohibited from possessing weapons, firearms, ammunition, or chemical agents. He may not possess or consume alcohol or enter bars or casinos and must submit to alcohol and drug testing as directed by his probation officer, according to Cromwell's office.

"Wardle must complete substance use and mental health evaluations and follow all treatment recommendations," reads the press release. "Because he has been convicted of a felony, he will be required to submit to DNA testing. Wardle is also prohibited from having contact with Catherine Sorensen’s daughters and the victim in the violation of order of protection case."

Breuner also sentenced Wardle to 169 days in the Gallatin County Detention Center on the misdemeanor charge of violating a protective order. Wardle received credit for the 169 days he had already served in this case after being taken into custody in November 2024. He remained in custody until April 2025, when the judge ordered his release over the objection of the county attorney's office.

Wardle's was charged with felony witness tampering for communicating with Sorensen about what she might tell law enforcement regarding the Jan. 25, 2022, incident. On that day, Sorensen initially claimed to have been assaulted by Wardle. She later submitted written and audio-recorded statements to authorities saying she was drunk and not in her right mind when she made the allegation.

Sorensen passed away after sustaining critical injuries in what Wardle said was an accident that involved her leaving the truck he was driving on Trail Creek Road on Feb. 26, 2023. She was pronounced deceased at Livingston HealthCare shortly after being brought into the emergency room by Wardle. The law enforcement investigation into Sorensen's death, with Wardle as a suspect, was closed as of May 8, according to a June court filing by Sixth District Judge Rebecca R. Swandal.

“This has been a long-running case, and we are thankful to finally bring it to a conclusion,” said Chief Deputy County Attorney Edward Hebb in the press release. “Most importantly, we hope today’s sentencing provides some measure of closure for the victims, their families and friends, and the members of our community who have been affected by Mr. Wardle’s conduct.