Man pleads no contest to hotel destruction

A Columbia Falls man accused of destroying two computers at an area hotel last summer recently pleaded no contest to felony criminal mischief in Flathead District Court.

Taylor Jay Damm, 25, was accused of destroying hotel property and being combative with law enforcement before he was subdued by a stun gun during an incident at the La Quinta Inn at 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 11, 2017.

According to court documents, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the hotel for a report of a disorderly man.

Deputies reviewed surveillance footage that reportedly showed Damm ripping two computer monitors off of the lobby desk and smashing them on the floor.

He was also allegedly shown destroying a table and bookcase in the lobby then exiting the building, where he picked up rocks from the pool area and threw them at the windows. Officers later found a dented door frame and scratches on windows and doors.

Deputies made contact with Damm near the property. Damm was reportedly combative and uncooperative with law enforcement from the start.

Officers took him into custody after he allegedly admitted to being at the hotel. Once inside the patrol car, Damm allegedly kicked the rear door continually and spit on it.

According to court documents, Damm had to be “tased” before he became compliant with officer requests, court documents stated.

Damm is scheduled to be sentenced June 28.