Kalispell man pleads guilty to theft charge

Convicted sex offender McKinley Brooks pleaded guilty to a felony theft charge in Flathead District Court Thursday morning.

Brooks, 23, of Kalispell, was given a suspended 20-year sentence on Jan. 14 for raping the 13-year-old ex-girlfriend of his younger brother in 2009.

He also was ordered to pay $676.76 to the victim’s compensation fund, a $1,000 fine, a surcharge of $160, a $500 public defender fee and a $50 charge for preparation of a pre-sentence investigation report as well as ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and submit to annual polygraph testing.

Brooks also was required to register as a sexual offender.

He was arrested and incarcerated on the new charge just four days after the rape sentence was handed down.

During a hearing Thursday in front of District Court Judge Stewart Stadler, Brooks admitted stealing rings and other property valued at more than $1,500.

A disposition hearing on his prior sentence was continued to Nov. 23 at 9 a.m., when he will be sentenced on the new charge, on which he faces up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $50,000 as well as any restitution.

Brooks faced two other theft charges, but they were dismissed; it had been determined he had not participated in those incidents.