Man's fourth DUI violates sentence for bomb threat

A Kalispell man has pleaded guilty to drunk driving and violating his sentence for making a bomb threat at an Evergreen bar.

Scott Walsh, 53, entered the plea Feb. 13 in Flathead District Court, receiving his fourth conviction for driving under the influence.

Walsh was stopped by a Montana Highway Patrol trooper on Nov. 24 after being caught traveling 72 mph in a 65 mph zone. During the stop, he admitted he had been drinking, and subsequently failed field-sobriety and breath-alcohol tests.

He was given a five-year suspended sentence on Aug. 29, 2012, for making a bomb threat at the Rainbow Bar before leaving through the back door. That threat was made on Sept. 9, 2011, just two days before the 10-year anniversary of the destruction of the twin towers at the World Trade Center.

The bar was temporarily evacuated until it was determined there was no bomb, and Walsh was later arrested after returning to the bar that evening.

A plea agreement in the case includes a recommended sentence of 13 months with the Montana Department of Corrections followed by three years, suspended, for the drunk-driving conviction to be followed by a consecutive five years, suspended, for violating his sentence in the bomb threat case.

A sentencing hearing has been set for April 24.