Man accused of pulling knife sentenced to misdemeanor

A man accused of pulling a knife on a parking attendant in Kalispell over the summer saw his felony charge downgraded to a misdemeanor after striking a deal with prosecutors.

Jay Ryan Kaufman, 20, pleaded guilty to negligent endangerment in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 27. Judge Amy Eddy accepted the new plea immediately prior to sentencing Kaufman to the Flathead County Detention Center for 180 days, all suspended, with credit for three days of time served.

Kaufman came to the attention of the Kalispell Police Department after allegedly pulling and swinging a knife at a parking attendant working a nearby lot for patrons of the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo on Aug. 21. According to court documents, the attendant saw Kaufman and another individual park and enter a nearby business before heading down the sidewalk.

Believing the two were attempting to avoid a $5 parking fee, the attendant confronted the pair, court documents said. During the alleged resultant dust-up, the attendant called on passersby for help and Kaufman fled, though not before witnesses took photographs of his vehicle’s license plates.

Armed with that information, officers tracked Kaufman down a few hours later. Kaufman allegedly admitted to pulling the knife under questioning.

Initially charged with assault with a weapon, Kaufman signed a plea agreement with prosecutors on Oct. 25. As part of his sentence, he must undergo an anger management assessment and any recommended counseling as well as pay court fines and fees totaling $325.

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