Man sentenced to five years in jail
A 20-year-old Hungry Horse man was sentenced to five years in jail Feb. 23 in Flathead District Court after having pleaded guilty to felony charges of burglary and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.
Thomas Rupert was originally charged with felony charges of robbery and accountability to assault with a weapon and misdemeanor obstructing a police officer in connection with a May 4, 2011, incident.
He also originally was charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and misdemeanor criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing a police officer and criminal destruction of or tampering with a communication device in connection with an Aug. 27, 2011, incident.
The initial incident stemmed from a report that Joshua Rosalez had threatened Rupert, telling him if he didn’t come up with the $400 he owed Rosalez, he would be digging his own grave. It was at that point determined that Rupert had two active warrants out for assault and failing to appear for other violations.
A felony stop was initiated on a vehicle that Rupert was reported to be in. Inside the vehicle were Rosalez, Rupert and a third man. Rupert allegedly lied about his identity, initially calling himself Jake Chamberlain. A BB gun modeled after a Beretta 9-millimeter handgun was found on the floorboard.
Officers then responded to an assault in which Rupert and Rosalez were identified as the attackers. The two were alleged to have been trying to extort $1,400 out of the victim that he allegedly owed Derek Heft, an alleged drug dealer in the valley for whom Rupert and Rosalez allegedly are “enforcers.”
During the altercation, Rosalez allegedly aimed a shotgun at the victim.
A BB magazine was found at the scene.
The third occupant of the vehicle advised that Rosalez had a shotgun in the back of the vehicle.
In the second incident, Rupert’s mother called the police on her son, who was acting out and scaring her. When deputies responded, they could not get Rupert to calm down.
Eventually, Rupert allegedly yelled “take me to prison” and turned away from deputies and began running toward his mother. Deputies then Tased Rupert and took him into custody. His feet were shackled due to him continuing to be combative.
Four syringes were found in his pocket as well as a pill identified as amphetamine.
Rupert’s reduced charges were part of a plea deal that included pleading guilty to misdemeanor partner or family member assault and misdemeanor illegal possession of wildlife in separate Flathead Justice Court cases.
He was sentenced to five years on both felony charges, to be served concurrently.
Rosalez was initially charged with felony robbery and assault with a weapon in his case with Rupert and also charged with felony theft and criminal possession with intent to distribute in another case.
On Jan. 19, Rosalez pleaded guilty to the robbery charge in the first case and the drug charge in the second. All other charges were dropped. His sentencing for both cases is scheduled for March 29.