09-08-2025
Accused drug dealer pleads guilty to felony charge in Flathead County District Court
Aug. 9—An accused drug dealer arrested after a high-speed chase through Kalispell in June pleaded guilty last week to felony criminal endangerment.
Baldemar Duarte-Nieto also faced a misdemeanor count for fleeing from or eluding a police officer, but prosecutors dropped the charge as part of a plea agreement filed in Flathead County District Court on July 31.
Per the agreement, Duarte-Nieto faces a suspended sentence of up to five years with the state Department of Corrections as well as a fine of up to $50,000. He is scheduled to appear before Judge Heidi Ulbricht for sentencing on Sept. 25.
On June 26, agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security notified Flathead County Sheriff's deputies of a possible suspect in the area. Duarte-Nieto had an active warrant out of Washington for narcotics possession and drug trafficking as well as a federal immigration violation for re-entering the country after he was previously deported, according to court documents.
A deputy spotted Duarte-Nieto traveling southbound on the U.S. 93 Bypass and attempted to pull over the vehicle. Duarte-Nieto initially stopped but drove away as the deputy approached the vehicle, court documents alleged. The deputy gave chase as Duarte-Nieto allegedly sped eastbound on South Meridian Road.
Duarte-Nieto reached speeds of up to 80 mph and collided with a tree and a parked vehicle while turning onto Fifth Street West, court documents said.
Four people were in the parked car at the time of the collision. It was unclear whether any of them suffered injuries.
Duarte-Nieto was arrested after he attempted to flee from his vehicle on foot. He remains in the Flathead County Jail with bail set at $100,000.
Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 758-4433 or hsmalley@
