Woman racks up new felony case after allegedly struggling with Kalispell Police officers
Danielle Dawn Dawson. (Photo courtesy the Flathead County Sheriff's Office)
A Flathead Valley woman already facing one felony case is back behind bars after allegedly kicking and spitting on Kalispell Police officers last month.
Prosecutors charged Danielle Dawn Dawson, 46, with felony assault on a peace officer and misdemeanor counts of assault with bodily fluid and disorderly conduct in Flathead County District Court following her Feb. 13 arrest near a Kalispell community center. Dawson, who remains in county jail with bail set at $80,000, pleaded not guilty before Judge Paul Sullivan at her Feb. 26 arraignment.
The alleged confrontation occurred about 2:05 p.m. That's when officers headed to the community center for a report of a woman yelling at security guards outside the U.S. 2 West complex, according to court documents.
The guard told officers that the woman, later identified as Dawson, was caught knocking on car doors and yelling at the motorists inside, court documents said. When confronted, she allegedly began screaming, cursing and threatening to spit on security personnel.
Dawson caught sight of the officers as they approached and began walking west across the parking lot with a beer can in hand, court documents said. When they caught up with her, Dawson began yelling profanities at the officers and insulting them, court documents alleged.
As they put her in a patrol vehicle, Dawson allegedly pushed one officer and spat at another. Officers recalled having to drag Dawson from the vehicle when they arrived at the county jail, according to court documents.
During the ensuing struggle, Dawson threatened to punch an officer and then tried to kick him, court documents said. While she missed that time, her foot allegedly struck home while the officers searched her body. Then she turned her head and spat on the shoulder of another officer, court documents said.
Sullivan scheduled an omnibus hearing in the case for May 6 with a pretrial conference to follow on June 23. If convicted of the felony charge, Dawson faces between two and 10 years imprisonment and a $50,000 fine.
DAWSON PLEADED not guilty to a felony indecent exposure and misdemeanor criminal trespass in a separate case before Judge Amy Eddy in January.
Prosecutors accuse Dawson of trespassing at a Two Mile Drive apartment complex in December and pulling down her pants in front of a group of children in the parking lot, exposing her butt and underwear to the minors. Officers called to the scene tracked Dawson down at a U.S. 2 West casino and arrested her.
Dawson was released from custody on her own recognizance the day prior to her arrest at the community center in Kalispell. Prosecutors filed a petition to revoke her release on Feb. 17 and Eddy issued a warrant that same day.
She is expected to appear in front of the judge on April 29 for a pretrial conference in the case.
News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 406-758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.