Sex offender sentenced for violating parole

An Evergreen sex offender received a 13-year suspended prison sentence July 21 in Flathead County District Court.

District Judge Amy Eddy handed down the sentence to Walter Carl Higginson, 30, after he violated his parole by using methamphetamine. Higginson was given credit for time served from Feb. 16 through June 9.

“I would advise you, Mr. Higginson, most likely that will not happen again,” Eddy told him.

Eddy took into consideration that this is the fourth time Higginson’s sentence for sexual assault has been revoked.

Higginson’s third revocation also was for consuming methamphetamine and he was kicked out of a mandatory sex offender treatment program.

Eddy also noted that Higginson had not been randomly drug tested — which was among the conditions of his release.

Prior to sentencing, Eddy expressed deep concerns about Higginson’s plans to live with a woman who has one minor child.

“So how will you be in compliance with your conditions of release living with woman who has a child?” Eddy asked.

Higginson said he would leave the house if the minor was alone at home.

“And that’s a workable situation?” Eddy asked.

Higginson replied, “Yes, ma’am.”

Eddy said the situation didn’t sound practical and was “fraught with peril,” considering one of the four times his sentence was previously revoked was for living in a home with children.

Probation and parole officers also testified that he had been required to move from a residence because it was too close to a childcare facility.

Probation Officer Brock O’Hara noted that Higginson has an extensive criminal history. O’Hara said when Higginson comes up for parole he would like to see him ask a parole board to enter a boot camp, which would provide the structured environment he believed Higginson needed.

Higginson is a registered sex offender serving the suspended portion of a sentence for a rape conviction from 2003.

He also was convicted of felony failure to register as a sex offender in 2004.

Defense attorney Nicholas Aemisegger said during the time Higginson has been out of prison, he has worked two jobs.

“Two jobs — I think that speaks volumes in his sincerity in wanting to change,” Aemisegger said, adding that being labeled a sex offender makes getting jobs “extremely difficult.”

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.