Man accused of stealing snowplow given deferred prosecution agreement

A Flathead County District Court judge dismissed last week a felony charge against a man accused of stealing a snowplow in Kalispell in January.

Justus Isaiah Weldon, 29, faced one count of felony robbery following his arrest on Jan. 28. Initially pleading not guilty to the charge at his Feb. 16 arraignment before Judge Amy Eddy, Weldon signed a deferred prosecution agreement with the County Attorney’s Office on Oct. 16.

Weldon hopped into a snowplow left running near the intersection of First Avenue East and Third Street about 5:11 a.m., Jan. 28, according to court documents. Nearby workers stopped clearing a parking lot to confront Weldon, but were unsuccessful in preventing him from driving off, court documents said.

Colleagues of the work crew later came across the stolen snowplow as it headed south on Airport Road. Using another snowplow to pin the vehicle near the intersection of U.S. 93 South and 18th Street, the workers allegedly wrestled with Weldon until Kalispell Police officers arrived to arrest him.

Officials estimated the value of the stolen snowplow at $22,200, according to court documents.

Under the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement, Weldon is required to remain law-abiding for two years, abstain from contacting the victims, continue receiving mental health counseling and therapy until his treatment is completed, and live with family.

Deputy County Attorney Stacy Boman on Oct. 18 filed a motion to dismiss the case against Weldon without prejudice for the time being and with prejudice if Weldon goes two years without a violation. Eddy issued an order to that effect the same day.

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