19-year-old accused of punching deputy in face

A 19-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of assault on a peace officer Thursday in Flathead District Court.

According to court documents, an off-duty deputy with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office was approached by a manager as he walked into a store on Hutton Ranch Road on Jan. 29. The manager told him that a pair of young men had just left the store with a coat they did not pay for.

The deputy, who also works part time as a loss prevention officer for the store, attempted to make contact with the suspected shoplifters in the parking lot. He identified and confronted Dylan Cheman, telling him he didn’t have any choice but to return to the store.

At that point, Cheman allegedly punched the deputy in the face.

If convicted, Cheman faces between two and 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $50,000. His next hearing is scheduled for June 13.

Cheman had been released to house arrest on one of two other active cases just a few days before the incident.

He is charged with felony burglary, felony theft and misdemeanor theft in connection with the theft of a PlayStation 3 video game system and a 1998 Dodge truck on March 8, 2011.

He is also charged with felony burglary, misdemeanor theft and misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in connection with an Oct. 20, 2011, burglary.

On Dec. 29, 2011, Cheman pleaded no contest to felony burglary in the first case and to felony burglary in the second case. As part of a plea deal, the remaining four charges were dropped. He now faces up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 in those cases.

A sentencing hearing for both 2011 cases is scheduled for March 1.