Kalispell man pleads guilty to felony jail break

A Kalispell man on Feb. 2 pleaded guilty in Flathead District Court to a charge of felony attempted escape.

Zachary Bergman, 27, attempted to break out of the Flathead County Detention Center in October 2016, using a cup and toothbrush to tunnel into the ceiling of his cell. Authorities reportedly found Bergman inside the hole and apprehended him without incident.

Bergman had multiple charges pending against him in various areas of the state at the time of the attempt, including another escape charge resulting from an alleged escape from the Mineral County Jail just a week prior.

Bergman was also initially charged with felony criminal mischief, but the charge was dismissed in accordance with the plea agreement.

However, the Flathead County Detention Center plans to seek restitution for the cost of damages Bergman caused to the jail, which was estimated at more than $10,000.

Bergman is scheduled for sentencing on March 23.

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