Perkins pleads guilty to assault

POLSON — A Kalispell man admitted to assaulting two women on separate occasions.

Douglas James Perkins, 34, entered a plea of guilty to two felony counts of partner or family member assault at Polson District Court on Feb. 1.

According to court records, on Sept. 15, 2022, law enforcement in Kalispell were called to investigate a possible assault victim. The alleged victim stated she suffered bruising to her face and arms. She indicated that she sustained the bruises while she was traveling in a car in Polson with Perkins on Sept. 10, 2022. The investigation was then transferred to law enforcement in Lake County. A Deputy with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office took over the investigation. The deputy was told by the alleged victim that she and Perkins began to argue when she explained to him that she doesn’t feel safe around him. She then attempted to call a friend to come and pick her up. That’s when Perkins allegedly took her phone, got out of the car they were in and pulled her to the ground. She said Perkins then punched, slapped and stomped on her multiple times

Torngren pleads guilty to possession with intent to distribute

POLSON — A Spokane man admitted to bringing fentanyl into Lake County for distribution. Thomas Bradley Torngren, 45, entered a plea of guilty in Polson District Court Feb. 1 to criminal possession with intent to distribute. The guilty plea was entered as part of a plea agreement that will dismiss at sentencing on count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

According to court records, on Sept. 25, 2021, Torngren was a passenger in a silver Dodge Charger that was subject to a traffic stop for having an inoperable taillight. The vehicle was also the subject of a “suspicious activity” report outside of a Ronan tavern. Torngren initially gave law enforcement a false name before providing his real name. He explained that he did so because he is affiliated with a gang in Washington and it was something he was not proud to have on his record. A search of Torngren turned up a baggie of methamphetamine and 21 small blue pills. A search warrant was obtained for the Dodge Charger. During the search law enforcement located two pipes, a dig- then prevented her from seeking medical attention.

Perkins also admitted to assaulting another female in Polson Oct. 22.

Records show Perkins has at least three other convictions of a similar nature, two in Montana and one in California.

Judge Molly Owen denied a request for an own recognizance release after learning of Perkins lengthy criminal record as outlined in court by prosecutor Lori Adams with the Lake County Attorney’s Office. Judge Owen set a sentencing date of March 22. Perkins remains in the Lake County jail with bail totaling $105,000.

Ell pleads not guilty to assault

ital scale, and several cell phones. A search of the cell phones revealed several texts referencing fentanyl for sale. Torngren was also in possession of $540 cash. Torngren admitted that he travels to Washington to buy pills and returns to Montana to sell them.

The plea agreement calls for a joint recommendation of 10 years with the Montana Department of Corrections with all that time suspended on the condition that Torngren successfully completes inpatient treatment prior to sentencing.

Judge Molly Owen set a sentencing date of March 23. Torngren remains in the Lake County jail with bail set at $100,000.

POLSON — A Woods Bay man is accused of cutting his girlfriend with a knife.

Matthew Jarame Ell, 52, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson’s District Court on Feb. 1 to felony assault with a weapon and misdemeanor partner or family member assault.

According to court records, on Jan. 10 Deputy Glenn Miller with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, was paged out to a report of an assault at a residence in the Woods Bay area. At the scene, a woman reported that she came home from work and found that Ell

Ell see page 9

Suicide prevention class to be held

News from St. Ignatius Police ST. IGNATIUS

— On Wednesday, March 22, we will be hosting MLEA post credit training on QPR Suicide Prevention in Saint Ignatius. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer. More information about QPR can be found at: qprinstitute.com

Three post credit hours will be awarded to this training. It is listed on: dojmt. gov/post/post-bulletin-board

There will be two training events that day to try and meet everyone’s schedules. The first one will start at 1 p.m. and the second will start at 5 p.m. The training is courts at no financial cost to your agency, and it will also be open to the public. The guest speaker will be Fredrick Lee from the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Department.

The training will be held at the St. Ignatius Senior Citizens Center, 212 North Main Street, St. Ignatius. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

For attendance purposes and head count, please let Chief Acheson know if you plan to attend either one of the trainings at chief@townofstignatius.com or by calling 406-745-3881.

PLPW Advisory Committee to meet Feb. 16 via Zoom

News from MT Fish, ear and side of her head. from page 8 had not done the dishes and he was on the couch listening to loud music. An argument between the two followed. The argument turned physical, and Ell allegedly pinned the woman down by her shoulders and slapped around her

Wildlife & Parks ZOOM — The Private Land/Public Wildlife Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, Feb. 16, via Zoom from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

The 13-member advisory committee, appointed by the governor, is charged with reviewing FWP’s access programs and offering recommendations to help achieve program goals and maintaining good relations between hunters and landowners.

The meeting will be streamed live on the FWP website at: fwp. mt.gov/plpw. Public comment will be taken via Zoom. To make a comment via Zoom, you must register on the FWP website by noon on Feb. 15. For more information on PLPW and a full agenda, visit the FWP website at: fwp. mt.gov/plpw.

Ell is also alleged to have pulled out an open pocketknife and cut the woman three times on her left forearm and wrist area. Ell allegedly grabbed a larger knife from the kitchen and used it to cut the sweatshirt and shirt the woman was wearing. The woman was able to escape to a nearby brewery to call law enforcement. Deputy Miller documented cuts to the woman as well as to her clothing.

Judge Molly Owen set a trial date of July 31. Ell remains in the Lake County jail with bail set at $25,000.