Kalispell woman accused of depositing stolen checks reaches pretrial diversion agreement

A Kalispell woman accused of depositing funds from stolen checks into her bank account in late 2020 struck a pretrial diversion agreement with prosecutors earlier this month.

Prosecutors initially brought Brittney Marie Frehse, 36, on a single felony count of forgery in March. Frehse came to the attention of investigators after an area resident reported the theft of checks from her mailbox in January 2021. Deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office traced the transfer of funds, amounting to about $1,700, to Frehse’s bank accounts, court documents said.

The allegedly stolen checks were made out to Frehse, though the victim denied knowing her or signing the checks, according to court documents. The funds were deposited between Nov. 7 and Nov. 10, court documents said.

Frehse was expected to plead guilty in October, but the hearing ended after she failed to acknowledge her guilt in the case while on the witness stand. Judge Amy Eddy rejected the plea change based on her testimony.

On Nov. 10, Frehse signed a pretrial diversion agreement for a period of one year. During that time, she must pay $1,740 in restitution to Glacier Bank and remain law abiding. If Frehse follows through with the agreement, prosecutors pledged to dismiss the case with prejudice.

In the interim, Eddy ordered the case dismissed without prejudice at the behest of prosecutors.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.