Man who pulled handgun on skateboarders re-sentenced

A 19-year-old former Columbia Falls man who was given a 5-year deferred sentence after being charged with pulling a handgun on three skateboarders found himself back in court 3 1/2 months later after he violated conditions of his probation.

According to court records, Adam Vish, who now lives in Kalispell, was arrested by Kalispell police on June 17, 2013. The three skateboarders said the incident began when Vish swerved his red Volvo and tried to run over one of them. A second skateboarder approached Vish, flicked off his hat and told him his driving was inappropriate.

That led to a brief scuffle between the skateboarder and Vish. When the three skateboarders started to leave, Vish allegedly opened his trunk and pulled out a silver handgun, which he pointed at them. A family standing on a nearby porch witnessed the incident and said they were scared for their lives.

Vish allegedly confessed to pointing the gun at a skateboarder in retaliation for what he’d done. Officers later discovered the handgun had been stolen from a vehicle at the Don K dealership in Whitefish while Vish was working there.

Vish was initially charged with one felony count of assault with a weapon and faced up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Vish’s public defender negotiated a plea agreement amending the charge to felony criminal endangerment and recommending a five-year deferred sentence with a chance for early termination. Flathead County District Court Judge Heidi Ulbricht accepted the plea deal and sentenced Vish on Feb. 27.

A frustrated probation officer, however, filed a violation report about Vish on April 3. Not only had Vish never reported to the probation office as required, he and his mother allegedly told the probation officer he never would show up.

A bench warrant was issued with a $25,000 bond. Judge Ted Lympus revoked Vish’s earlier sentence on June 12 and reimposed it with credit for actual time served.