C-Falls man sentenced on weapon charge

A 53-year-old Columbia Falls area man was given a 7 1/2-year suspended sentence with the Montana Department of Corrections after he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assault with a weapon.

Flathead County District Court Judge Ted Lympus sentenced Kurt Cheek on Dec. 4. Cheek was given credit for time served and ordered to attend a 40-hour counseling program and obtain a chemical dependency evaluation.

Cheek was arrested on Nov. 28 after he allegedly fired a gun while outside the home of his daughter’s boyfriend. He had faced up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

According to court records, Cheek’s daughter’s boyfriend called 911 and reported that Cheek was outside the residence yelling and firing a gun. The dispatcher reported hearing a single gunshot, and a responding sheriff’s deputy found a spent .380 casing on the ground.

Cheek was leaving the site when deputies arrived. They reported that he was very intoxicated and a firearm was seen on the floor of his vehicle, when he was taken into custody.

This is the second time Cheek has faced the same felony charge. A similar charge in 2002 was later amended to criminal endangerment. He was convicted of that charge, and as a convicted felon he is not allowed to possess a firearm.