Judge follows plea deal in sex assault case

A Marion man received an unusual sentence in Flathead County District Court Thursday for sexually assaulting a young girl.

District Judge Robert Allison followed the recommendation of a prosecutor, sentencing Richard Harold Huffman, 66, to 20 years to the Montana State Prison with all time suspended as per a plea agreement for felony sexual assault. Huffman was designated as a level 1 sexual offender and as conditions of probation must receive sexual offender treatment.

“This isn’t the sort of offense I typically suspend all the time on, but in light of the circumstances I think it makes sense,” Allison said following confirmation from the victim and her mother, who were present in the courtroom, that they were supportive of the plea agreement.

Huffman molested the victim, who was 12 at the time, on multiple occasions in 2013 and 2014, according to court documents. The girl reported the ongoing abuse to school staff, who reported it to authorities.

Prior to sentencing, prosecutor Alison Howard told Allison the sentencing recommendation came after much deliberation and several discussions between the victim and her mother in addition to defense attorney Caleb Simpson.

Howard said she had discussed the pros and cons of the plea agreement with the victim’s mother and what putting the victim through a trial might look like. Howard said the victim was also part of discussions and was “on board” with the sentencing recommendation.

“At the end of the day — I should say at the end of many, many discussions — we decided this was the best outcome for this case,” Howard said.

Having the victim and her mother on board with the plea agreement “was of the utmost importance,” Howard said.

Simpson noted that Huffman had remained law abiding while out on bond and had no criminal history.

Following sentencing, Allison asked Huffman if he had anything to say.

“No your honor,” Huffman said.

Allison said Huffman needed to take the stipulations of the plea agreement very seriously.

“And as you probably noted, Mr. Huffman has a fairly extensive list of conditions and this probation isn’t going to be a slap on the wrist, or a piece of cake. It’s going to require a lot of proactive action on your part,” Allison said.

Allison said the conditions tend to be a zero-tolerance policy down to what type of phone Huffman owns.

“I’ll inform you people have been sent to prison for having a smart phone while on probation for this type of offense,” Allison said, but later added, “You are being given a big opportunity here, so I hope you’ll appreciate it.”

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.