Suspect accused of assaulting officers

A Kalispell man has been convicted of lying in wait behind the Kalispell Police Department before assaulting several police officers.

Brandon Haddon, 25, pleaded guilty by way of Alford on March 4 in Flathead District Court to a single felony charge of assault on a peace officer. Two other counts of the same charge were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

In exchange for the plea, by which Haddon accepted conviction while claiming mental illness, the Flathead County Attorney’s Office would recommend a sentence of five years at the Montana State Hospital under the custody of the  Department of Public Health and Human Services.

On March 30, 2013, Haddon waited outside the back door of the police department until an officer came outside. Haddon then charged at the officer and told him to shoot him. Two more officers responded and Haddon used pepper spray on all three before they used Tasers on him and took him into custody.

A sentencing hearing has been set for May 13.