Felon admits to escaping from officer's vehicle

A man admitted on Thursday to escaping out of the window of an unsecured probation and parole office vehicle in October.

Levi Newell Kelley, 28, pleaded guilty in Flathead District Court to felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and felony escape.

Kelley admitted that on Oct. 14, 2016, he was found in possession of methamphetamine.

“I thought I hid it, but I come back and must have had some in my pocket,” Kelley testified on Thursday.

According to court documents, officers had gone to check on the felon who was on probation after receiving a tip that he might be in possession of methamphetamine and a pistol. Kelley was located in a bed, reaching for a .380 pistol, court documents state.

He was handcuffed and put into an officer’s vehicle while a search of the residence was conducted.

“The center window of the cage was left open,” Kelley said. “I crawled out of the front door of the car.”

Kelley was apprehended in the drive of a nearby home.

As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend that a prison sentence be instated and should run consecutive to a Missoula County sentence. Kelley’s attorney will argue the sentence should run concurrently.

Kelley previously has been convicted of a felony partner family member assault that occurred in December 2012 and felony improper influence in police matters that occurred in November 2011.

In the 2011 case Kelley threatened to shoot a Missoula County deputy who responded to a report of Kelley threatening relatives.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 17.

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