Former St. Peter’s Nurse Aaron Gams Arraigned on Felony Sexual Assault Charge

Aaron Gams, a former nurse at St. Peter’s Health in Helena, was arraigned March 4, 2026 before District Court Judge Michael McMahon on a felony charge of sexual assault resulting in bodily injury; a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf, court reports say. The case is scheduled for a jury trial on Sept. 14, 2026, though prosecutors and defense lawyers could seek changes to that timetable.

Prosecutors originally filed criminal paperwork charging Gams under language local reports described as either “abuse of a vulnerable adult” or booking paperwork identifying the offense as “abuse/neglect or exploitation of the elderly.” While preparing for a Feb. 18 hearing, prosecutors discovered the statute had been amended in October 2023; KTVH reported the earlier law “only applied to ‘an older person or person with a developmental disability’” while the amended law applied to “all vulnerable adults.” Prosecutors told the court they would move to amend the charge to sexual assault; MTN reported “they’ll submit a motion asking the judge to allow them to amend the charge to sexual assault.”

Local reporting and Department of Labor and Industry documents allege the conduct occurred in July 2023 while a patient was hospitalized at St. Peter’s. The records cited by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle say the patient was admitted July 24, 2023 with a serious respiratory issue, later placed in the intensive care unit and described as “confused, experiencing hallucinations, in and out of consciousness” and suffering “significant disorientation.” The patient initially believed the contact she later recalled was a hallucination, then later remembered that Gams had massaged her back and fondled her breasts under her hospital gown; sources say Gams later texted the woman and in that conversation “confirmed something physical had happened.”

St. Peter’s Health placed Gams on paid administrative leave in October 2023 and fired him on Oct. 23, 2023, citing personnel documents that said he engaged in “inappropriate access of a patient’s chart for personal gain, which is a direct violation of HIPAA, and sexual misconduct with a patient.” Bozeman Daily Chronicle reporting notes Gams self-reported to the Department of Labor and Industry on Oct. 24, 2023, stating he was terminated because of “the alleged sexual assault of a patient.” The Department of Labor later issued an order suspending his nursing license, according to the reporting.

Booking records cited by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle show Gams was taken into custody and booked into the Lewis and Clark County jail on a felony booking charge with bail listed at $50,000. Courtroom coverage by MTN senior political reporter Jonathan Ambarian noted Gams appeared by video for hearings before Judge McMahon. Defense counsel has indicated an intent to challenge the charges and, as reported during earlier proceedings, “Gam's attorney said they would move to dismiss the charge.”

The arraignment and the statutory-timing dispute that produced the amended sexual-assault charge leave the case poised for pretrial motions and evidentiary filings. With the jury trial set for Sept. 14, 2026, Lewis and Clark County court dockets are expected to show forthcoming prosecution motions to amend charges and defense motions to dismiss.