Man denies parole violations

A man convicted of sexually assaulting a 7-year-old boy in 2008 returned to court March 23 following several reported parole violations.

Zachary William Sargent, 24, entered a plea of general denial in Flathead District Court to at least seven alleged parole violations including living with two minor children without notifying his parole officer.

In 2010, Sargent, then 17, received a 10-year suspended sentence to Montana State Prison after he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child while staying with him in a relative’s camper.

Two years later, Sargent was found to be in violation of his conditions of release after he failed to pay his legal fees. His sentence was revoked, and he served four years in Montana State Prison.

In 2016, Sargent was released on probation.

According to his probation officer, Sargent tested positive for marijuana and alcohol, failed to register as a sex offender, was found to be living with his girlfriend and her two children, ages 11 and 13, and still had not paid his legal fees.

A revocation hearing was set for July.