Columbia Falls man pleads guilty to sex crime

A Columbia Falls man has pleaded guilty to felony sexual abuse of children after taking a photo of a 12-year-old girl as she slept.

Lewis Packwood, 45, testified during his change-of-plea hearing Wednesday in Flathead District Court that he photographed the girl, who was wearing just a T-shirt and underwear, for the purpose of sexual gratification or arousal.

He admitted he was sexually attracted to the girl.

Packwood initially was charged with two felony counts after the photos were discovered on a thumb drive by his wife, according to a court document. The document also stated Packwood told detectives he was already in counseling due to his attraction to one underage girl.

A plea agreement in his case indicates the Flathead County Attorney’s Office will recommend a five-year sentence to the Montana State Prison to be followed by 10 years suspended while Packwood will be free to argue for all 15 years to be suspended.

If Packwood’s sentence includes jail time, he would not be eligible for parole for the first quarter of his sentence.

A sentencing hearing has been set for June 5.