Kalispell woman charged for allegedly aiding fugitive

A Kalispell woman has been charged with a felony for allegedly hindering officers’ attempts to apprehend an escaped criminal.

Chawnee Rose Patton, 24, was charged with felony obstructing justice on Nov. 18.

According to court documents, on Nov. 17 Flathead County Sheriff’s officers stopped Patton and two men on Leisure Island in Flathead County. One of the men allegedly told the deputy his name was “Jonah” Thomas before he spontaneously fled.

Patton allegedly told officers she knew the man who fled only as “Jay.” The man was apprehended and found to be Jesse Thomas, who was an escaped convict from Great Falls.

Patton allegedly later admitted that she knew Thomas was an escaped criminal.

Thomas was captured. He was transferred to Montana State Prison on Tuesday. He is serving a three-year sentence for felony criminal mischief.

Patton is set to be arraigned Dec. 1.