Latest news with #KalispellPolice
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Allegedly pulling a gun during an argument earns man a felony charge
May 29—A 22-year-old accused of pulling a gun on an acquaintance during an argument in Kalispell in early May is now facing a felony charge in Flathead County District Court. Prosecutors brought Jay Ryan Kaufman up on one count of assault with a weapon following the alleged May 9 confrontation on Fourth Avenue West. He is expected to appear before Judge Paul Sullivan on Thursday for his arraignment. Neighbors reporting a disturbance possibly involving a gun summoned Kalispell Police officers to the Fourth Avenue West home about 11 p.m., according to court documents. The victim told investigators that Kaufman had driven him home that night and, on the way, the two began arguing. As the victim got out, Kaufman fetched a handgun and leveled it at him, court documents said. Seeing the firearm pointed at him, the victim began apologizing before begging and pleading for his life, according to court documents. Another individual at the home told officers that they spotted the two arguing near Kaufman's truck. They reported trying to intervene when they saw Kaufman pull out the weapon, according to court documents. When authorities later tracked down Kaufman, he acknowledged getting into an argument while driving around with the victim. But he disputed assertions he wielded a gun in the disagreement, according to court documents. Kaufman allegedly told officers he owned a Taurus 9 mm handgun, and said it was stored in a safe in his home during the alleged confrontation. Investigators, though, found a black Taurus 9 mm handgun in Kaufman's truck, court documents said. Kaufman was convicted in 2022 of misdemeanor negligent endangerment in Flathead County District Court for pulling a knife on a parking attendant working a lot for patrons of the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo that same year. Initially charged with felony assault with a weapon, Kaufman later took a plea deal. Judge Amy Eddy, who presided over that case, sentenced him to the county jail for 180 days, all suspended. She also ordered Kaufman to undergo an anger management assessment, participate in any recommended counseling, and pay court fines and fees totaling $325. If convicted of assault with a weapon, Kaufman faces up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Suspected drunk driver flipped truck with four children inside
May 27—Prosecutors allege that the 53-year-old man behind the wheel of a truck with four children inside that flipped on the U.S. 93 Bypass earlier this month boasted a blood alcohol content of more than three times the legal limit. Andrew James Meyers faces felony counts of criminal child endangerment and driving under the influence, fourth or subsequent offense, in Flathead County District Court following the May 16 wreck. Meyers, who remains in the county jail with bail set at $300,000, is expected to appear before Judge Danni Coffman for his arraignment on June 5. Meyers allegedly repeatedly admitted to drinking before getting behind the wheel after Kalispell Police officers arrived to the site of the wreck, near the intersection of Basecamp Drive and the bypass, about 9 p.m. Officers found Meyers' Ford F-150 upside down on the highway's northbound lane, according to court documents. First responders took his passengers, including a woman and children — aged 12, 10, 8 and 3 — to Logan Health Medical Center for potential treatment. Three of the children suffered minor injuries and medical professionals treated the woman for possible shoulder and neck injuries, court documents said. Meyers allegedly showed signs of intoxication during the course of three field sobriety tests. A preliminary breath sample returned with a breath alcohol content of 0.272, court documents said. Meyers allegedly admitted he was drunk to officers, telling them he was "guilty," according to court documents. He allegedly said he should never have driven a vehicle with the children in it. Meyers' criminal history includes three prior driving under the influence convictions: a 2018 conviction in Flathead County and 2019 convictions in Oregon and Utah. He also earned a felony assault with a weapon conviction in Flathead County in 2024. In that case, Meyers allegedly pulled a gun during a parking dispute at a Hutton Ranch Road parking lot. He received a deferred sentence on May 30, 2024. News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Suspected drunk driver flipped truck with four children inside
May 27—Prosecutors allege that the 53-year-old man behind the wheel of a truck with four children inside that flipped on the U.S. 93 Bypass earlier this month boasted a blood alcohol content of more than three times the legal limit. Andrew James Meyers faces felony counts of criminal child endangerment and driving under the influence, fourth or subsequent offense, in Flathead County District Court following the May 16 wreck. Meyers, who remains in the county jail with bail set at $300,000, is expected to appear before Judge Danni Coffman for his arraignment on June 5. Meyers allegedly repeatedly admitted to drinking before getting behind the wheel after Kalispell Police officers arrived to the site of the wreck, near the intersection of Basecamp Drive and the bypass, about 9 p.m. Officers found Meyers' Ford F-150 upside down on the highway's northbound lane, according to court documents. First responders took his passengers, including a woman and children — aged 12, 10, 8 and 3 — to Logan Health Medical Center for potential treatment. Three of the children suffered minor injuries and medical professionals treated the woman for possible shoulder and neck injuries, court documents said. Meyers allegedly showed signs of intoxication during the course of three field sobriety tests. A preliminary breath sample returned with a breath alcohol content of 0.272, court documents said. Meyers allegedly admitted he was drunk to officers, telling them he was "guilty," according to court documents. He allegedly said he should never have driven a vehicle with the children in it. Meyers' criminal history includes three prior driving under the influence convictions: a 2018 conviction in Flathead County and 2019 convictions in Oregon and Utah. He also earned a felony assault with a weapon conviction in Flathead County in 2024. In that case, Meyers allegedly pulled a gun during a parking dispute at a Hutton Ranch Road parking lot. He received a deferred sentence on May 30, 2024. News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man convicted of assaulting officer given deferred sentence
May 2—A man accused of punching a Kalispell Police officer during his arrest near a city park in 2023 later received a deferred sentence in Flathead County District Court. Prosecutors charged Dennis Wayne Prichard, 56, of Kalispell with felony assault on a peace officer and misdemeanor counts of assault and criminal mischief after an alleged string of confrontations near Woodland Park on June 18, 2023. Though he pleaded not guilty, Prichard accepted a plea deal in June 2024. In exchange for him pleading guilty to the felony charge, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the two misdemeanors. They also agreed to recommend Prichard receive a deferred three-year sentence and pay restitution. Judge Dan Wilson stuck to the terms of the agreement when handing down the sentence in July of that year. Wilson gave Prichard credit for 111 days of time served and ordered him to pay a combined $1,357.92 in restitution. Authorities began searching for Prichard after he allegedly attacked an employee of a Woodland Park Drive bar June 18, 2023. During the fight, Prichard broke the window of a parked car, court documents said. He was previously barred from the bar's premises, according to court documents. Witnesses told authorities that Prichard had headed off in the direction of Woodland Park. Officers found him nearby with several other men. When Prichard ignored an order to get onto his knees, officers deployed a Taser, court documents said. But it failed to stop Prichard, who allegedly punched the officer. During the ensuing brawl, Prichard allegedly landed several blows to the officer's face, causing pain, swelling and soreness. Other officers eventually arrived to provide backup and they cuffed Prichard, according to court documents. News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man who swung at cops in Kalispell gets prison time
Apr. 22—A 31-year-old that prosecutors allege punched a Kalispell Police officer in the face in March 2024 received a partially suspended sentence to the Montana State Prison later that same year. Flathead County District Judge Dan Wilson handed down a six-year sentence with three years suspended to Matthew Timothy Kuehnel, 31, on July 18, 2024. Wilson also gave Kuehnel credit for 121 of time served. Kuehnel initially pleaded not guilty but struck a deal with prosecutors on June 6, 2024. In exchange for a guilty plea to one count of felony assault on a peace officer, prosecutors agreed to recommend the partially suspended sentence and drop a misdemeanor count of assault. Authorities in Kalispell began searching for Kuehnel on March 21, 2024, after he punched a Washington Street resident in the face for no apparent reason, court documents said. Officers found a man matching the description of the pugilist inside an East Idaho Street fast food resident, later identifying him as Kuehnel. When officers told Kuehnel he was under arrest, he swung his right fist over his left shoulder. The blow struck the cheek of an officer, court documents said. Tackled after throwing the punch, Kuehnel allegedly continued to struggle until officers deployed a Taser. The injured officer reported feeling pain from the blow and said it left him with "momentary disorientation," according to court documents. News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@
