Columbia Falls man challenges child-porn charges

A Columbia Falls man has pleaded not guilty to a pair of felony sexual abuse of children charges after child pornography allegedly was found on his thumb drive.

Lewis Packwood, 45, entered his pleas Thursday in Flathead District Court.

According to a court document, the images were discovered by his wife while she was looking through the contents of the drive. When confronted by his wife over a text, Packwood allegedly responded: “it was wrong and i know it and i honertly thought i ha disposed of them all [sic].”

Packwood later allegedly admitted to detectives that he had the images and that some of the girls in the images appeared to be much younger than 18.

He also allegedly told detectives that he is in counseling due to his attraction to one underage girl.

If convicted of both charges, Packwood faces up to 110 years in prison and a fine of up to $60,000.

In addition, if convicted of the second count he would not be eligible for parole for the first 25 years of any sentence due to his age and the age of the victim.

He is currently incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center, where his bond is set at $35,000.