Man guilty of two charges

A 34-year-old Columbia Falls man pleaded guilty by way of Alford to two charges March 28 in Flathead District Court.

By making the Alford pleas, Joby Bealmer accepted conviction without admitting his guilt to charges of felony criminal endangerment and misdemeanor driving under the influence. A third charge of misdemeanor resisting arrest was dropped.

Bealmer was arrested Oct. 18, 2011, after officers responded to a report of shots fired at his home.

According to court documents, officers encountered him as he was driving down his driveway, at which point he admitted firing his gun into the woods behind his house.

His reason for firing the shots was that he returned home and saw a light in his bedroom turn off.

Bealmer allegedly resisted officers who tried to arrest him. His legs were reportedly tied to keep him from kicking out the windows of the police car. Court documents also state he threatened officers while he was being transported to the Flathead County Detention Center and refused any alcohol testing.

His sentencing is scheduled for May 10.