Man pleads not guilty to burglary charges

A 30-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to amended charges in one of his two pending cases.

Brandon Stanfield originally was charged with felony burglary and misdemeanor criminal trespass to vehicles for his alleged participation in the Jan. 26, 2012 burglary of a North Ashley Lake Road home.

On Thursday, he pleaded not guilty to amended charges of felony burglary and felony conspiracy to commit burglary.

The change brings an increase in his maximum possible penalty from 20 years and six months in jail with a fine of up to $50,500 to 40 years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000.

Stanfield also is facing a felony charge of bail jumping in a separate case, in which he faces up to 10 years in jail.

A third case charging Stanfield with solicitation for the criminal distribution of dangerous drugs — a charge with a possible penalty of between one year and life in jail — recently was dismissed.