Man convicted in machete incident

A 52-year-old Columbia Falls man pleaded guilty by way of Alford to two charges Thursday in Flathead District Court related to a September incident in which he brandished a machete at a restaurant.

Carlos William “Bill” Seeley accepted conviction while denying guilt on felony charges of assault on a peace officer and intimidation in exchange for felony charges of assault with a weapon and attempted aggravated assault being dropped.

On Sept. 10, 2011, a detective with the Columbia Falls Police Department responded to the Nite Owl where Seeley had brandished a large open knife and a machete, telling people he was “taking over the place.”

The detective fired a Taser at Seeley, but it had no effect.

The officer then grabbed Seeley’s hand as he attempted to swing one of the weapons at the detective, who then hit Seeley with his pistol. When the gun struck Seeley’s head, it fired a shot into a wall.

As part of a plea agreement, the prosecution will suggest a five-year jail sentence for the assault on a peace officer conviction and a consecutive five-year suspended sentence for the intimidation conviction.

If the judge chooses not to follow the agreement, Seeley faces between two and 20 years in jail.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 24.