“Bill/Billy” McGuffie prominent longtime Bigfork/Somers area resident and businessman (“Sexually Violent Predator, Transient”) is currently being housed by the Flathead Warming Center.
McGuffie has been heavily involved in a multitude of community events including musical events, community fundraisers and more. He is highly social and has been in the forefront in numerous community endeavors.
McGuffie was a popular figure in Flathead County for many years and is still (to this day) free to walk the streets even though he was charged with four felony accounts in 2021 (according to the Daily Interlake Article click here) and sentenced on 2 counts (See his SVOR-Sexual Violent Offender Registry click here status below).
His current address (residence) is in fact the Flathead Warming Center and he is listed below as a “Sexual Violent Predator, Transient”.
McGuffie’s SVOR record via mt.gov click here was recently updated on 10/23/2025 (so just a week ago). This information is pertinent and timely.
On May 25, 2021 the Daily Interlake released an article on McGuffie click here to read in its entirety. by SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER Hagadone News Network
According to the Daily Interlake excerpt below McGuffie faces four felony charges and (was) on a $100,000 bond and faces a prison sentence of up to 100 years. (See below)
“A Flathead Valley man is accused of sexually assaulting and raping two young girls.
Robert “Billy” McGuffie, 72, faces four felony charges, including two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual intercourse without consent. He is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond and faces a prison sentence of up to 100 years.
McGuffie’s alleged offenses were against two girls ages 9 and 12 who were visiting his residence near Somers in 2014.”
On May 24, of 2021 the Flathead Beacon published an article about McGuffie as well. (Click here to read the article in its entirety.) By Andy Viano Flathead Beacon
The Flathead Beacon shared the following,
“A 72-year-old Northwest Montana man is facing four felony counts stemming from a pair of sexual assaults he allegedly committed when two young girls were staying at his property in the summer of 2014.
Robert Billy McGuffie was charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual intercourse without consent in Flathead County District Court on May 13. He was arrested May 21 and is currently being held on $100,000 bail. McGuffie’s arraignment is scheduled for June 3.”
A major concern in this particular case is the fact that McGuffie has been seen out and about in public places since 2021. The general public has shared their disgust and deep concerns as he frequents places and areas where children are and additionally, he was last reportedly seen publicly at the Conrad Mansion’s (4th of July) Ice Cream Social (just this past summer) where he was standing and walking within just a few yards of young children.
To be sure he has been walking around freely for several years and even after his arrest. The Flathead Warming Center usually has their ‘guests’ leave during the day and they then get in line to reenter the facility and are allowed entry by 6 p.m. each evening so McGuffie could very well be walking or driving in the area close by and then inhabits the facility by evening.
In this case there is an astronomical problem because McGuffie is listed as a “Violent Sexual Predator” by the SVOR mt.gov click here and is not allowed (we believe according to Montana law) to be within 300 feet of children in a facility. Additionally, because he is a (“sentenced”) “Violent Sexual Predator” we believe he very possibly isn’t even allowed within 2000 feet of children in a facility. (See below)
The map below reveals that a local daycare could be within 300 ft of the Flathead Warming Center property. (See below)
Another distance study shows McGuffie could be residing within 325 feet of a children’s facility.(See below)
The question remains. Does the FWC even know who this man is and what crimes he’s committed? If so, that is abhorrent. However, it’s highly likely they don’t even know who this man is because:
A. Many working there most likely don’t recognize him or
B. They may know who he is but not understand the enormous negative impact he has on children and just how dangerous he really is. (See below).
The problem with a low-barrier shelter is the fact that no ID is required or background check(s) so it’s easy for dangerous individuals to inhabit such places which in turn can adversely affect the nearby neighbors and neighborhood as well as other guests at the Center.
Further research shares some very pertinent information concerning this case so click here to view more.
From what we understand, the case has been appealed by McGuffie with Travis Ahner serving as the Attorney for the “State of Montana” (State vs McGuffie) as the Appellee and Tammy Ann Hinderman as McGuffie’s defender where she serves as the Appellant.
Travis Ahner is the County Attorney for Flathead County and Tammy Ann Hinderman is the Special Assistant Attorney General at DPHHS (Office of State Public Defender Appellate Defender Division) in Helena. To research further see the chart below
To give you a timeline of events view the following information below,
- Bill McGuffie was charged on May 13, 2021 (claimed By DIL as “facing charge” click here and Flathead Beacon as “charged” click here )
- McGuffie was arrested on May 21, 2021 (stated by Flathead Beacon click here)
- McGuffie was arraigned on June 3, 2021 (stated by Flathead Beacon click here)
- McGuffie was sentenced on April 17, 2025 (SVOR click here)
- McGuffie files an appeal on June 16, 2025, (Extension granted click here Montana Judicial Branch)
- McGuffie files notice of appeal June 21, 2025 (Bowen Greenwood Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court click here)
- McGuffie is granted an appeal through January 8, 2026 (click here Montana Judicial Branch)
This isn’t the first time a pedophile has stayed at the Flathead Warming Center. Read here to find out about a gentleman last year who was residing in the Center where you can view his (past) SVOR (Sexual Violent Offender Registry) status and pertinent information as well.
Finally, two Kalispell City Council members (current Mayoral candidates) Ryan Hunter and Sid Daoud had opposing votes in the September of 2024 concerning the outcome of the Flathead Warming Center (meaning voting to keep it open or shut it down).
Hunter voted to keep the Flathead Warming Center open.
Daoud voted to close down the Flathead Warming Center.
Several hundred neighbors nearby revealed at Kalispell City Council meetings that they felt unsafe and unheard by the Flathead Warming Center Directors. Several hundred nearby neighbors also signed a petition in hopes of helping to shut the Center down. Many shared with grief how it was ruining their businesses some of which had been up and running for 30 plus years, others feared their house prices would plummet and still others feared the uptick in danger in the area including break ins and such.
Daoud viewed the situation as a Property Rights vs Property Rights issue with literally hundreds of neighbors expressing grief, fears, and concern. He felt the Property Rights of the neighbors outweighed the Property Rights of the Flathead Warming Center simply because the neighborhood was larger and more prominently affected in negative ways as opposed to the other way around.
Additionally, Councilman Daoud was pushing for the neighborhood and the Flathead Warming Center to “come together and work things out” but the Center pulled out of the mediation after only one meeting.
NOTE: [Montana 1st News is a serious defender in the protection of children in whatever capacity that entails and will speak out for those who cannot do so themselves].
Be sure to check back in with Montana 1st News as the story develops.
