Multiple counties team up to arrest man accused of child sexual abuse in Montana – NBC Montana

Inter-Agency Law Enforcement Action Upholds SDG 16

Case Details and Jurisdictional Cooperation

On November 3, 2025, a collaborative law enforcement operation involving Sanders, Yellowstone, and Butte-Silver Bow Counties resulted in the arrest of John Carlbom. This action represents a significant step in upholding Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by ensuring accountability for violent crimes.

• Subject: John Carlbom
• Charges in Sanders County: Two counts of child sexual abuse.
• Charges in Yellowstone County: One count of sexual intercourse without consent of a minor.

The cooperation between these county-level institutions exemplifies the partnerships necessary to achieve robust justice systems and protect vulnerable populations.

Addressing Violence Against Children: A Core SDG Mandate

Alignment with Key Sustainable Development Goal Targets

The ongoing investigation into these allegations directly supports several key targets within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals framework.

1. SDG 16.2 (End Abuse and Exploitation of Children): The primary focus of this law enforcement action is to address and prosecute alleged acts of sexual violence against a minor, directly contributing to the global effort to end all forms of violence against children.
2. SDG 5 (Gender Equality): By prosecuting sexual violence, authorities work towards Target 5.2, which calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by such crimes.
3. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Protecting children from abuse is fundamental to ensuring their long-term physical and mental health. Holding perpetrators accountable is a critical component of creating safe environments that foster well-being.

Ongoing Investigation and Community Engagement

Call for Public Information

Authorities have stated that this is an ongoing investigation. In line with the principles of inclusive and just societies (SDG 16), the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office is engaging the community by requesting that anyone with relevant information about the case come forward. This participatory approach is vital for the effective administration of justice. No further details are being released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article directly relates to this goal by focusing on crime, justice, and the role of law enforcement. The arrest of an individual for violent crimes like “child sexual abuse” and the cooperation between multiple county sheriff’s offices highlight the functioning of justice institutions to combat violence and protect vulnerable populations.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • This goal is relevant as it aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. The crime of “sexual intercourse without consent of a minor” is a form of sexual violence and exploitation. While the gender of the victim is not specified, such crimes disproportionately affect girls, making this goal pertinent to the issue discussed.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Child sexual abuse has severe and lasting impacts on the physical and mental health of victims. The article, by discussing a case of such abuse, implicitly touches upon the need to protect the well-being of children, which is a cornerstone of SDG 3.

2. Specific SDG Targets

1. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • This is the most direct target addressed. The article’s central theme of “child sexual abuse” and “sexual intercourse without consent of a minor” directly aligns with the objective of ending all forms of violence and abuse against children. The law enforcement action described is a direct response to this type of crime.
2. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
   • The charges of “sexual intercourse without consent” fall squarely under the category of sexual violence and exploitation that this target aims to eliminate. The article’s focus on a perpetrator of such violence connects directly to this objective.
3. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • The crimes mentioned are severe forms of violence. The efforts of law enforcement to arrest the accused individual contribute to the broader goal of reducing violence within the community.
4. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • The article demonstrates the rule of law in action. The investigation and arrest by the Sanders, Yellowstone, and Butte-Silver Bow County Sheriff’s Offices represent the justice system’s response to reported crimes, which is a key component of this target.

3. Mentioned or Implied Indicators

1. Implied Indicator for Target 16.2: Number of victims of violence against children reported to authorities.
   • The article does not provide a statistic, but the case itself represents an instance of violence against a child being reported and acted upon by competent authorities (“Sanders County Sheriff’s Office”). Such cases are the foundational data for measuring the prevalence and response to child abuse.
2. Implied Indicator for Target 16.3: Number of arrests and cases processed by the criminal justice system for violent crimes.
   • The report of an arrest and the filing of “three counts of sexual intercourse without consent” and “two counts of child sexual abuse” are data points that reflect the activity of the justice system. These actions can be used to measure the system’s effectiveness in holding perpetrators accountable.
3. Implied Indicator for Target 5.2 and 16.1: Prevalence of sexual violence.
   • While the article details a single case, this case would contribute to the overall statistics on sexual violence. The reporting of such crimes is a crucial first step in gathering the data needed for indicators that measure the proportion of the population subjected to sexual violence.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nbcmontana.com