Burglary suspect accused of tampering with witness

After being apprehended by police on his third bench warrant in nine months, Nathan Bayreuther may be facing more charges.

On Wednesday, the office of Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan filed a motion to charge the 23-year-old Kalispell resident with tampering with witnesses or informants.

According to the motion, Bayreuther — while being sought on a bench warrant — contacted the resident of a North Ashley Lake Road home he allegedly burglarized on Jan. 26 along with Brandon Stanfield, Jeffrey Weldele and Ashley Ekern.

The resident reportedly told police that Bayreuther called him on March 30 and talked to him about the burglary, saying that he was sorry for what he did and asking him not to show up for the trial.

Bayreuther was arrested Monday at his Evergreen home by deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

He is now facing six felonies, including tampering with a witness or informant, two counts of bail jumping, criminal endangerment, assault on a peace officer and burglary, as well as misdemeanor charges of bail jumping and criminal trespass to vehicles.

If convicted on all eight charges, Bayreuther could spend up to 81 years in jail and be ordered to pay a fine of up to $201,000.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.