Machete-wielding man robbed panhandler, court docs say

A 53-year-old man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly trying to shake a panhandler down for money with a machete near Kalispell last week.

Michael Robert Hughley is expected to appear before Judge Heidi Ulbricht in Flathead County District Court on Aug. 1 for his arraignment on counts of assault with a weapon and robbery. He remains in the county jail with bail set at $75,000.  

Deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff's Office began searching for Hughley after a woman panhandling at the intersection of Woodland Park Drive and U.S. 2 East accused him of threatening her with a weapon, according to court documents. The woman told investigators that Hughley, who she knew beforehand, parked nearby and allegedly approached her with a machete.  

Hughley gave her until the end of the day to turn over the money, court documents said. Waving the machete around, he allegedly threatened to chop her up if she could not come up with $50 by that deadline.  

He also took her luggage and water before leaving, court documents said.  

Deputies found Hughley at his home in Evergreen. The 53-year-old acknowledged confronting the victim and accused her of stealing $50 from him, court documents said. He also admitted taking her belongings, court documents alleged.  

Hughley denied threatening the victim, but confirmed keeping a machete in his vehicle, according to court documents. He allegedly said it fell out while the two talked, and he picked it up and held it in his hands during the conversation but did not wave it about. 

Investigators located both the machete and the victim's belongings in Hughley's vehicle, court documents said.  

Assault with a weapon is punishable by up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. Robbery is punishable by between two and 40 years behind bars and a fine of up to $50,000. 

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