Kalispell man accused of sexual abuse of underage niece

A Kalispell man accused of propositioning his 12-year-old niece for sexual favors is facing a felony charge in Flathead County District Court.  

Johnathon Daniel Fritz, 36, is expected to appear before Judge Heidi Ulbricht on Jan. 9 for his arraignment on one count of sexual abuse of children. Held with bail set at $100,000, Fritz secured a bond for his release in late December, according to court records. 

Deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff's Office began investigating Fritz on Aug. 19, 2023 after a mother reported an incident involving her two daughters at Fritz's home a day earlier.  

The two girls were playing a game with Fritz when he allegedly began talking about pornography. He also favorably described the genitalia of a friend he had while in Iraq to the two minors, according to court documents. 

Feeling uncomfortable, the younger of the two left to go to bed, court documents said. The older sister stayed behind and was watching videos on the social media platform TikTok when Fritz allegedly began stroking her back. He then allegedly asked if he could touch her genitalia, court documents said.  

The 12-year-old refused and left the room. She immediately contacted a friend and recounted the incident, according to court documents.  

That friend told their father, who contacted the girls' mother. She retrieved the pair soon after, court documents said.  

When she told Fritz she had removed the two girls, he acknowledged ruining his life, court documents alleged.  

"I don't want you to call the police, but I won't be mad if you do," he allegedly said. "I know what it will do to me ... I've already ruined my future for what I said to her." 

If convicted, Fritz faces up to 100 years behind bars and a fine of $50,000. 

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