Man pleads innocent to two charges

A 23-year-old Missoula man pleaded not guilty to felony charges Thursday in Flathead District Court.

Jonathan Graves is charged with theft and burglary in connection with alleged crimes on Nov. 23, 2011, in Kalispell and Nov. 26, 2011, near Marias Pass.

He also faces new charges following an attempted courtroom escape on Dec. 22.

During his initial hearing, Graves allegedly assaulted a security officer and attempted to escape the court building, but was confronted by a civilian and a trooper with the Montana Highway Patrol and was eventually hit with a Taser charge and recaptured.

Graves now faces felony charges of assault on a peace officer resulting in bodily injury, assault on a peace officer with reasonable apprehension of bodily injury, and attempted escape, as well as misdemeanor charges of fleeing from or eluding a peace officer and resisting arrest.

While sitting in the courtroom Thursday morning waiting for his hearing, Graves stared almost constantly at the officer with whom he had struggled in his escape attempt.

Original charges against Graves are based on the alleged theft of several hundred dollars’ worth of coins from a vehicle followed by the alleged theft of several guns from a home. The second theft led to a high-speed chase in which the officer was unable to keep up with the suspect vehicle.

If convicted on his original charges, Graves faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. In the new case, he faces between four years and 41 1/2 years and a fine of up to $101,500.

His next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 12, when he will be arraigned on the new charges.