Man pleads guilty to kicking cop

A 68-year-old Kalispell man pleaded guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to a felony charge of assault on a peace officer.

According to a court document, Craig Stevens was arrested on March 2 for drunk driving. While Whitefish police officers were bringing Stevens into the Flathead County Detention Center, Stevens became uncooperative.

Inside the detention center, Stevens had to be restrained, and eventually got up, forcing one of the officers to put him back on the bench. Stevens then kicked the officer in the shin. He was wearing cowboy boots at the time.

The Flathead County Attorney’s Office is recommending a two-year deferred sentence for Stevens, whose sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 7.