Man re-arrested on eve of court date

A Flathead Valley man who was on house arrest on drug charges was arrested anew on Wednesday night.

Leon Kavis, 20, was scheduled to appear in court Thursday on year-old charges of possessing drugs with intent to distribute.

Wednesday night, he was surrounded by patrol cars in a "rolling roadblock" as he drove on Montana 35 just south of Bigfork. The last time he was arrested, it was by the Kalispell police department's SWAT team at gunpoint at a motel.

Kavis refused to stop Wednesday when officers from the Northwest Drug Task Force, the sheriff's office and U.S. Customs tried to stop him and his two passengers.

The officers boxed in Kavis' 1998 Volkswagen as it moved. One officer rammed Kavis' car, forcing it to the east edge of the highway. Police had information that the occupants might be armed, but only ammunition and a holster were found when the vehicle was stopped and everyone got out, according to supervisor Kevin Burns of the drug team.

A search of the vehicle, however, turned up a half ounce of methamphetamine, scales, baggies and cash, Burns said.

Kavis was arrested on an existing warrant and was charged with possession of drugs with intent to distribute. Passenger Travis Gregoire, 22, was also arrested on a drug warrant and was charged with possession of drugs. Krystine Edwards, 18, was charged with possession of drugs.

Later, officers served a search warrant at a home on Sylvan Drive, south of Bigfork, where they believe methamphetamine is stored and distributed. Paraphernalia was reportedly found there.

More arrests are expected and charges may be filed in federal court, Burns said.

Kavis was arrested in January 2003 by the SWAT team when he was reportedly found at the Red Lion Inn in Kalispell with girls, guns and methamphetamine. He was charged with possession of drugs with intent to sell, distribution of drugs and possession of property subject to seizure. He was released from jail on $100,000 bond.

Kavis was also reported arrested earlier on a felony charge of impersonating a police officer when he called pawn shops and reportedly tried to find out information on stolen property.

His hearing Thursday to change his innocent plea was postponed after his arrest Wednesday night.