Prosecutors: Man threatened to kill bar staff, sheriff’s deputies

A man awaiting sentencing on a felony driving under the influence charge is back behind bars after allegedly threatening to kill the employees of a local bar and later sheriff’s deputies.

Kyle Ross Burglund, 41, faces charges of assault with a weapon and threats or improper influence in an official matter in Flathead County District Court following the June 8 dust-up. He is being held in the county jail on a $300,000 bond — $150,000 for the new charges and $150,000 for allegedly violating the terms of his release on his other case.

Deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office headed to what was described in court documents as an “inn and bar” after receiving several calls about a disturbance. Witnesses at the scene told investigators that a drunk man wearing a pistol began yelling at employees. When they asked him to leave, he threatened to kill them.

While witnesses offered varying accounts, they agreed that Burglund had his hand near his gun while yelling death threats in the business’ parking lot, court documents said. Bystanders in the parking lot ducked behind vehicles and out of the way during the confrontation, court documents said.

Eventually, Burglund left the area. Deputies caught up with him in his truck on a nearby road. He allegedly acknowledged interacting with the bar staff, but denied threatening them. Still, deputies arrested him.

During the trip to jail, began cursing at deputies and escalated from there, court documents said.

“I’m going to kill you,” he allegedly said. “When I make bail you’re going to pay.”

Burglund also allegedly pledged to find out where the deputies lived, pay them a visit, turn them into a “law enforcement memorial on the side of the highway” and kill their dogs.

He reiterated those threats during a later trip to a hospital for an evaluation, court documents said.

If convicted of assault with a weapon, Burglund could spend up to 20 years in state prison and pay a fine of $50,000. The threats or improper influence in official matters charge carries a maximum of 10 years in state prison and a $10,000 fine.

He is expected to be arraigned in district court on June 23.

THE ARREST came as Burglund was preparing for his sentencing in a 2021 driving under the influence case.

Montana Highway Patrol troopers arrested Burglund in June of that year after tracking down a vehicle reportedly crossing the centerline of U.S. 2 and driving into oncoming traffic. At the time of his arrest, Burglund was traveling nearly 30 miles per hour above the speed limit, court documents said.

A review of his criminal history turned up prior driving under the influence convictions in 2005, 2008 and 2009, according to court documents.

Burglund struck a plea deal with prosecutors in February. Under the terms of the agreement, prosecutors will recommend he spend up to 13 months with the state Department of Corrections and undergo substance abuse treatment. Afterward, he will serve a suspended three-year sentence with the Department of Corrections.

He is expected to be sentenced in that case on Aug. 11.