Suspect pleads innocent to sex assault charges

The Daily Inter Lake

A Kalispell man pleaded innocent Thursday to sexually molesting a 10-year-old girl.

Randy Lee Palmer, 36, entered not-guilty pleas to two counts of sexual assault during his arraignment in Flathead County District Court.

Palmer, who was arrested Oct. 22 at a Fifth Avenue East home, inappropriately touched the girl, now 15, on several occasions between September 2003 and June 2005, according to court documents. Prosecutors allege the abuse took place late at night, while the girl was sleeping.

The girl disclosed the alleged abuse to detectives in September.

If convicted, Palmer faces up to 200 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. He is free on $50,000 bond.