Second man sentenced in Hungry Horse assault case

The second man charged in the May 2011 assault of a man in Hungry Horse over an alleged drug debt and a high-speed pursuit in October was sentenced last week to felony robbery and drug charges.

Following a plea agreement, Joshua Rosalez, 29, of Kalispell, was sentenced on March 29 to 10 years with the Montana Department of Corrections with five years suspended and another five years suspended and concurrent.

Rosalez pleaded guilty in January to felony charges of possession of drugs with intent to distribute and robbery. Felony charges of theft and assault with a weapon were dropped as part of the plea agreement. He was recommended for placement in the Missoula Assessment and Sanction Center (MASK).

According to court documents, Rosalez and Thomas Rupert, 20, of Hungry Horse, were arrested on May 4, 2011, after Flathead County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a man in Hungry Horse beaten in a dispute over an alleged drug debt.

The initial report stated that Rupert, Rosalez and a third unidentified man went to the victim’s home on First Avenue Southeast. Rosalez allegedly pulled a sawed-off shotgun from his clothing and demanded $1,400. The victim was injured in the ensuing fight in the man’s kitchen.

Rupert was sentenced on Feb. 23 to two concurrent five-year sentences for his role in the Hungry Horse robbery and possession of illegal drugs while out on bond last August.

Rosalez was arrested again on Oct. 3 after officers responded to a report of a vehicle stolen in Evergreen. Deputies in patrol cars with a helicopter pursued the vehicle westbound on U.S. 2 out of Kalispell at speeds up to 110 mph.

Spike strips deployed about 15 miles inside Lincoln County blew out three tires, stopping the vehicle. The two occupants fled on foot and were quickly apprehended. Marijuana and a substance believed to be methamphetamine were allegedly found in the vehicle.

Also arrested was the driver, Joshua Hermann, 23, of Kalispell. He was charged with parole violation, burglary, theft, criminal endangerment and possession of dangerous drugs with intent to sell. He is still awaiting sentencing.