Convicted rapist returns to prison

A Coram man convicted of rape in 1997 is headed back to prison as of April 6 following several reports of parole violations.

William Lester Rardon, 58, served 17 of a 37-year sentence in Montana State Prison for the sexual assault of two underage girls, one of which resulted in a 15-year-old girl getting pregnant with his child.

Rardon’s reported parole violations included losing his job because of sexual harassment allegations and having a cellphone containing photos of an infant girl with whom he was reportedly found in bed.

Judge Amy Eddy revoked Rardon’s additional 13-year suspended sentence in Flathead District Court on March 9 and has now sentenced him to serve the remainder of that suspended sentence in full in Montana State Prison.

Eddy based her decision on testimony from Rardon’s parole officer, Shellie Stichman, the director of his community-based sex offender treatment program, Robert Bakko, one of Rardon’s victims and evidence presented by the state.

Stichman described Rardon’s adjustment to supervision during parole as “atrocious.”

“I do not believe he should remain in the community. I believe he is a danger to the community,” Stichman said. “He should be in prison.”

Bakko, who terminated Rardon’s court-mandated enrollment in his sex-offender treatment program, stated that Rardon had not been rehabilitated, had trouble following rules and required further treatment.

Bakko also described Rardon as narcissistic and a high risk to society.

The state’s evidence included a recorded phone call in which Rardon could be heard threatening the alleged victim of his most recent sexual assault, stating “she better watch her [expletive] back” when he gets out.

Other evidence presented by the state was a report by Rardon’s former cellmate, detailing threats Rardon allegedly made toward District Attorney Ed Corrigan. In response to these allegations, Rardon could be heard saying to his attorney, “[My cellmate] just said that because I kicked his [expletive] in jail.”

NEARLY 20 years after Rardon’s original conviction, his first victim took the stand to plead with the court not to let him go.

In regards to the new charges, the woman stated that she had received Facebook messages from a friend letting her know Rardon was free and detailing threats from Rardon directed at her and her family, allegedly stating he would “get vengeance.”

The woman said she was scared to death that he was out.

“He needs to be locked up forever,” she told Eddy. “If I could give him a sentence, it would be death.”

Rardon was taken into the custody of the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office after the judge delivered the sentence.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.