Felony assault case dismissed amid deportation proceedings

A man accused of pulling out a gun during a 2024 dispute in Kalispell saw his felony case dismissed amid deportation proceedings.  

Prosecutors charged Franco Mijael Vera Quispe, 29, with felony assault with a weapon and misdemeanor driving under the influence following his Dec. 8, 2024, arrest in Kalispell. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Flathead County District Court on Jan. 23, 2025, where he appeared via video from jail in Kootenai County, Idaho.  

During a June 12 status hearing, though, defense attorney Scott Hilderman told Judge Dan Wilson that Vera Quispe was being deported. Prosecutors subsequently requested the case against him be dismissed without prejudice. U.S. Border Patrol agents out of Spokane, Washington, had placed Vera Quispe on a federal hold following his arrest.  

Wilson dismissed the case that same day.  

Vera Quispe allegedly pulled out a handgun after causing a disturbance in the downtown Kalispell veterans organization. He leveled it at an employee from inside a Subaru after leaving the building, court documents said.  

Kalispell Police officers crossed paths with the Subaru as they headed to the scene and initiated a traffic stop. Vera Quispe allegedly was slow to respond to commands, ignored instructions and used his car door to balance during the stop.

Officers described Vera Quispe as appearing drunk, boasting slurred speech and bloodshot, droopy eyes, according to court documents.  

Though a search of Vera Quispe failed to turn up a firearm, officers spotted a bullet and an empty holster inside the Subaru, court documents said. 

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