Inmate accused of stabbing officer in foiled jailbreak
Daniel Joseph Reiner. (Photo courtesy the Flathead County Sheriff's Office)
An inmate allegedly stabbed a Flathead County Detention Center officer with a pencil in early May, launching an ill-fated jailbreak, prosecutors say.
Daniel Joseph Reiner, 42, of Kalispell is facing a felony assault on a peace officer charge in Flathead County District Court following the alleged May 5 stabbing. He is expected to appear before Judge Dan Wilson on June 11 for his arraignment.
Reiner remains in the county jail with bail set at $52,000.
Reiner allegedly lashed out while detention center officers moved him around the jail. Reiner stepped behind an officer and then grabbed his vest as he turned, court documents said. Feeling a scratch on his neck, the officer pushed Reiner away.
Reiner ducked into a different room where other officers caught up with him, court documents said.
Surveillance footage of the moments before the scuffle showed Reiner retrieve a pencil hidden in his mouth and eventually grip it in his left hand, according to court documents. In the video, Reiner allegedly is shown lunging at the officer and thrusting his left hand into the officer's neck.
Another video captured Reiner holding a pencil in his left hand as he runs toward another room, court documents said.
The officer suffered pain in the attack, which resulted in a scratch and red marks on his neck, according to court documents.
Under questioning from Flathead County Sheriff's Office detectives, Reiner allegedly admitted to jabbing the officer with a pencil in an attempted jailbreak.
Reiner also faces misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence, second or subsequent offense, failure to carry proof of insurance and driving a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license in Kalispell Municipal Court.
Felony assault on a peace officer is punishable by between two and 10 years behind bars and a fine of $50,000.
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.