Sentence suspended for man who punched store worker

A Kalispell man has been given a 10-year suspended sentence after assaulting a man, then not showing up for his trial.

Tevin Groshelle, 20, was sentenced April 3 in Flathead District Court. He had pleaded guilty to felony counts of aggravated assault and bail jumping.

Groshelle was followed to the Blue and White Motel on Jan. 28, 2013, by an employee of Smith’s grocery store who believed Groshelle had stolen a few small items.

Groshelle first asked another man in the room to “help me beat this guy up,” but the man refused.

Groshelle then punched the grocery employee in the face, breaking his jaw, before fleeing on foot.

The employee had to have two metal plates surgically attached to his jaw.

In addition to handing down the probationary sentence, District Judge Heidi Ulbricht ordered Groshelle to pay $23,450 in restitution.