Sex offender headed to prison after parole violations

A convicted sex offender from Kalispell returned to court July 6 for multiple reported violations of his parole.

Flathead District Court Judge Robert Allison revoked the suspended sentence for David Trent, 40, after his parole officer reported multiple violations including drug and alcohol abuse and termination from his mandatory sex-offender treatment.

Trent initially was convicted of felony sexual abuse of children and possession of dangerous drugs in March 2016. He was sentenced to 10 years suspended in the Montana State Prison for the sexual abuse of children and a consecutive five-year suspended term for drug possession.

Court documents state that upon discovering images depicting children engaged in sexual conduct linked to Trent’s Skydrive account, Microsoft reported the account to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Authorities traced the account to Trent’s residence. In an interview with Kalispell Police officers, Trent allegedly admitted to downloading and viewing child pornography at least once a week. He also stated he used the cellphone he and his wife shared to access the internet and view pornography.

During the interview, Trent stated, “I know it was wrong.”

According to court documents, Trent’s wife reported him for drinking mouthwash and cough syrup with the intention of becoming intoxicated. Trent was also reportedly found to be abusing his prescription pain medications.

Because of these violations, Trent was terminated from his sex-offender treatment program, which was required by the judge as a part of his sentence.

“He’s abusing his prescription medication. He’s living in a house with his children. This as not a good combination in my experience,” said Trent’s parole officer, Brock O’Hara.

Prior to sentencing, Trent’s wife of 16 years took the stand to testify that her husband had never behaved inappropriately with his or any children. She also testified that she was no longer concerned about her husband’s drug or alcohol use.

After revoking his sentence, Allison sentenced Trent to 15 years in the Montana State Prison with 10 years suspended.

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