Bigfork man faces sexual assault charges

A local man is accused of sexually assaulting a young girl numerous times over a three-year period.

Larry Dee Penner, 57, of Bigfork, is charged with one felony count of sexual assault and one felony count of attempted rape.

He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Dec. 10.

Penner faces a maximum prison sentence of 100 years on each count. Penner, who was booked into the Flathead County Detention Center Nov. 19, remains there on $100,000 bail.

According to charging documents, a Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputy took a report from a school official who learned from a school nurse the girl said Penner had inappropriately touched her from when she was as young as 7 years of age.

Penner is due back in court for a pretrial hearing April 14, 2021.

Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or shindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.