Alleged rapist pleads not guilty in case involving 14-year-old

A Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to two felonies after allegedly molesting and raping a 14-year-old girl.

Heath Earl Baughn, 35, entered the pleas to felony charges of sexual intercourse without consent and unlawful transactions with children.

According to a court document, Baughn was at Woodland Park with several people, including the victim, who had met Baughn a few weeks prior. The victim, who said Baughn goes by “TKO” or just “TK,” told police Baughn knew her age when they first met.

The document alleges Baughn took the girl to a hill away from others in the park, then gave her marijuana and tequila. It claims that he then, over time, took all of her clothes off, then told her they would both go to jail if she didn’t do what he asked, at which point he molested and raped her.

The girl later identified Baughn out of a photographic line-up, and he was later located as the result of a report of a suspicious person in Woodland Park.

Baughn is currently incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center, where his bond is set at $75,000.

If convicted of both charges, Baughn faces up to six months in the county jail and between four and 100 years or life in prison as well as a fine of up to $50,500. His next hearing is set for Dec. 4.