Assault suspect enters Alford plea

A 19-year-old Evergreen man accused of sneaking into a house, kissing an 85-year-old woman and later assaulting her changed his plea in Flathead County District Court Thursday.

Jonathan Headcarrier, who previously had pleaded innocent to burglary and elder abuse, entered a so-called Alford plea, a legal maneuver that maintains his assertion of innocence but concedes he likely would be found guilty at trial.

Headcarrier was arrested Aug. 26 after a late-night report of a sexual assault on Forest Drive in Evergreen.

Deputies responded after the startled and confused woman called family members about the incident.

She said she was sleeping on a recliner when she felt someone kissing her on the lips.

She opened her eyes and saw a man she didn’t know standing over her, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The man said he had been sent to watch the woman by someone named Cindy, though the victim was unaware of anyone by that name who would make such a request.

Headcarrier left, but later returned and pushed the woman to the floor, authorities said.

Acting on a description provided by the woman, deputies found Headcarrier nearby a short time later and arrested him.

Headcarrier, who was released from county jail following his plea, is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 10.