C-Falls man admits having sex with 13-year-old

An 18-year-old Columbia Falls man pleaded guilty to felony sexual intercourse without consent on July 11 after he reached a plea agreement with the Flathead County Attorney’s Office.

Ryan Taylor was 17 years old when he was initially charged with having sex with a 13-year-old girl in October 2012.

According to court records, Kalispell police officers investigating a theft learned from the girl that she had been having sex with Taylor over a two-week period in her sister’s room, and that Taylor knew she was only 13. When interviewed by the police, Taylor allegedly said he had told a friend that he felt like a child molester and regretted what happened.

Following state statute, the county attorney’s office chose to charge Taylor as an adult, and a juvenile charge was dismissed as part of the June 20 plea agreement.

Taylor faced a prison sentence of 2 to 100 years and a $50,000 fine, but the prosecution recommended a 10-year suspended sentence in the plea agreement and $550 in restitution. Taylor’s sentence for burglary in Cascade County would also be revoked as part of the agreement.

Taylor’s attorney, Jack Quatman, noted in the plea agreement that he would request that Taylor not be required to register as a sex offender. His next hearing is set for Sept. 5.