Former Thompson Falls City Clerk Faces Felony Charges

Chelsea Peterson pleaded not guilty to impersonating a public servant during her arraignment.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Former Thompson Falls City Clerk Chelsea Peterson has been charged with a felony count of impersonating a public servant. Peterson allegedly continued to act as a notary public for over a decade after her commission expired, without attempting to renew it or taking the required continuing education. She is accused of falsely notarizing around 247 documents during this time.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of maintaining proper credentials and following legal procedures, especially for public officials entrusted with important duties like notarization. Impersonating a public servant can have serious legal consequences and undermine public trust in government.

The details

During her arraignment on Tuesday, Peterson pleaded not guilty to the felony charge. Judge John Mercer set the matter for a jury trial on June 15, 2026. The misdemeanor charges Peterson faces in a separate case have also been joined with the felony charge and will go to trial on the same date.

  • Peterson's arraignment took place on Tuesday.
  • The jury trial is scheduled for June 15, 2026.
  • A hearing to answer to a filed petition to revoke probation for Steven Douglas Grimm is set for March 17, 2026.
  • Darrell Delaine Massey's deferred sentence was revoked, with him being re-sentenced to a deferred imposition of sentence for three years, with 128 days time served.

The players

Chelsea Peterson

Former Thompson Falls City Clerk who has been charged with a felony count of impersonating a public servant.

Judge John Mercer

The judge presiding over the cases involving Chelsea Peterson, Steven Douglas Grimm, and Darrell Delaine Massey.

Steven Douglas Grimm

An individual who entered denials to allegations claiming he violated his probation conditions.

Darrell Delaine Massey

An individual who made admissions to alleged probation violations, resulting in his deferred sentence being revoked and him being re-sentenced.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on June 15, 2026 whether to convict Chelsea Peterson on the felony charge of impersonating a public servant.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of public officials maintaining proper credentials and following legal procedures, as impersonating a public servant can have serious legal consequences and undermine public trust in government.