Man guilty of sexually assaulting girl

The Daily Inter Lake

An Evergreen-area man has been convicted of molesting a 4-year-old girl.

Leo James Scott, 44, pleaded guilty to felony sexual assault during a change-of-plea hearing Tuesday in Flathead County District Court.

In exchange for Scott's guilty plea, prosecutors dropped felony charges of sexual intercourse without consent.

Scott, who struck an open plea deal with the Flathead County Attorney's Office, faces a maximum penalty of 100 years in prison and a $50,000 fine when he is sentenced in February.

According to court documents, Scott inappropriately touched the girl on Feb. 23.

The victim disclosed the alleged incident to her mother, who notified the Montana Department of Health and Human Services' Child and Family Services Division.

Investigators, however, have said they believe Scott's molestation of the victim had been ongoing.

He was arrested Feb. 26.

In 1987, Scott was convicted in Glendive of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.