Man denies charges of sexual abuse, intercourse without consent

A Kalispell man has denied allegations that he bought a cellphone for a 15-year-old girl for the purpose of exchanging explicit images and messages with her.

Charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent and sexual abuse of a child, Hank Coughran Jones, 40, pleaded not guilty in Flathead District Court on May 25.

According to court documents, Jones allegedly bought the phone for the girl in June 2016 after her parents took hers.

Her father told authorities he discovered the phone when he heard it ringing from a drawer in his daughter’s room.

The father said he answered an incoming FaceTime call and immediately recognized Jones who quickly hung up. The father allegedly found an extensive messaging history between Jones and his daughter.

After turning the phone over to Whitefish Police, court records state that forensic analysis revealed multiple photos of Jones exposing his genitals sent from his phone as well as naked photos of the girl and photos of she and Jones having intercourse sent between the two phones.

A jury trial was set for Aug. 7.

If convicted, he could face up to life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine for each count.

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