Flathead man admits tying up, threatening woman

A Flathead County man admitted Monday to an incident in which he tied and held a woman against her will at gunpoint, and another in which he stole an all-terrain vehicle. 

Jason Tad Pennington, 39, pleaded guilty in Flathead District Court to felony criminal endangerment and theft as part of a plea agreement in which a felony assault with a weapon charge and kidnapping charge was dropped.

The plea agreement calls for prosecutors to seek a 20-year sentence to the Department of Corrections, with 15 years suspended. Pennington’s defense attorney will argue for a 15-year commitment to the Department of Corrections, with 10 years suspended. The defense also intends to ask that Pennington be screened for possible placement in boot camp.

According to court documents, Pennington became angry with a woman at her home in Flathead County in June. He then allegedly zip-tied her ankles and wrists, and drove her into Kalispell in her vehicle, against her will.

The woman said that Pennington held a gun to her head and strangled her. Upon arrival in Kalispell, Pennington allegedly threatened to shoot the woman if she tried to escape. He eventually removed the zip ties.

The crime was reported to police and Pennington was arrested, but only after he tried to flee from police.

The felony theft charge encompassed in the plea deal arose after Pennington was arrested and found to have stolen someone’s four-wheeler.

Pennington is set to be sentenced on Dec. 22.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.