A 29-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to a felony charge of rape involving a 14-year-old girl.

According to a court document, Troy Jones contacted a Kalispell police officer on Aug. 1, 2012, to report an incident that began when he met a girl outside Cattleman’s Bar on July 29, 2012.

The girl was drunk and throwing up, and Jones said he helped her and she gave him her phone number.

Jones allegedly told the officer that they made out and gave each other hickies, but they did not have sex. He said he wanted to report the incident first after hearing from the girl that her mom found out about them and was going to call police.

That same day, the officer was dispatched to the hospital to investigate a rape report. There he met the alleged victim, who was 14. The court document states that the girl told the officer she had known Jones for more than three years and that he had invited her to his house to hang out.

She reportedly told the officer Jones supplied her with alcohol and told her “It’s OK, I know you’re only 14.” She said Jones asked her to have sex with him and she said no, at which point she fell asleep. When she woke up, she said he asked her again and she agreed.

She went on to reassert that she had known Jones for a long time and they had spoken about her age numerous times.

The officer spoke with Jones again, and Jones allegedly gave the same story about meeting the girl outside the bar but admitted that they had sex, saying he did not ask her age because he figured she would be too young and he didn’t want to know.

“He feared that finding out her age would ruin things,” the court document states. “Jones stated the he knows he is ‘messed up.’”

If convicted, Jones faces between four years and life in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. His next hearing is scheduled for April 10.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.

A 29-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to a felony charge of rape involving a 14-year-old girl.

According to a court document, Troy Jones contacted a Kalispell police officer on Aug. 1, 2012, to report an incident that began when he met a girl outside Cattleman’s Bar on July 29, 2012.

The girl was drunk and throwing up, and Jones said he helped her and she gave him her phone number.

Jones allegedly told the officer that they made out and gave each other hickies, but they did not have sex. He said he wanted to report the incident first after hearing from the girl that her mom found out about them and was going to call police.

That same day, the officer was dispatched to the hospital to investigate a rape report. There he met the alleged victim, who was 14. The court document states that the girl told the officer she had known Jones for more than three years and that he had invited her to his house to hang out.

She reportedly told the officer Jones supplied her with alcohol and told her “It’s OK, I know you’re only 14.” She said Jones asked her to have sex with him and she said no, at which point she fell asleep. When she woke up, she said he asked her again and she agreed.

She went on to reassert that she had known Jones for a long time and they had spoken about her age numerous times.

The officer spoke with Jones again, and Jones allegedly gave the same story about meeting the girl outside the bar but admitted that they had sex, saying he did not ask her age because he figured she would be too young and he didn’t want to know.

“He feared that finding out her age would ruin things,” the court document states. “Jones stated the he knows he is ‘messed up.’”

If convicted, Jones faces between four years and life in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. His next hearing is scheduled for April 10.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.