Man faces felony charge in stalking case

A Flathead Valley man accused of repeatedly threatening, stalking and harassing a woman is facing a felony charge.

Nick Kelley Pierce is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday, Nov. 21, in Flathead County District Court.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the woman Pierce is accused of stalking petitioned for an order of protection against him on Aug. 29. She cited instances of abuse, physical and emotional, as the reason for her fear of Pierce.

When the order was granted Sept. 18, Pierce was present in the courtroom. Since then, the complaint alleged, Pierce repeatedly has contacted the victim, causing her substantial emotional distress.

Pierce allegedly saw the woman driving in Columbia Falls, leaned out the window of his vehicle, made gestures with his hands and yelled at her, scaring her. On Oct. 1, 10 and 11, Pierce allegedly emailed the victim and also asked her to not report his emails to authorities, the complaint stated.

Pierce also reportedly sent mail to the victim Oct. 22 and then messaged her on social media Oct. 25.

Finally, on Oct, 26, the woman was in a theater in Bigfork when she said she saw Pierce enter and sit directly in front of her. He then moved to sit next to her. She said he told her “I have been trying to find you” and “I want to touch you.”

While this was occurring, a deputy from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office called the woman to follow up on a prior report, according to the complaint. When Pierce saw the woman on the phone, he asked her if she called the cops. He then demanded that she “call them back and tell them not to come — now!”

The victim said she was in fear and suffered substantial emotional distress because of Pierce’s repeated communications, the complaint said.

Pierce faces a maximum of five years in state prison if convicted on the charge.

Pierce is currently free after posting $50,000 bail on Oct. 31.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 406-758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.