A former Flathead County resident has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and sexual assault involving an alleged incident five years ago.

Shawn Pranger, 47, entered the pleas Thursday in Flathead District Court.

A charging document alleges that a 16-year-old girl was given a rape exam on May 16, 2009, and identified the man who assaulted her as Pranger. She told a Flathead County deputy that she awoke to Pranger molesting her.

According to Deputy Flathead County Attorney Travis Ahner, a detective tried to locate Pranger through his employer and discovered Pranger had been released. Ahner said the detective was subsequently unable to locate Pranger.

Pranger was finally found when his former employer was contacted recently by a business in Everett, Wash., that was looking for a professional reference after receiving a job application from Pranger.

In a bond reduction hearing after Pranger’s arraignment, his attorney said Pranger  voluntarily returned to Kalispell to confront the charges. Based on that and the fact that a local business owner had offered Pranger a place to stay, the attorney asked that he be released on his own recognizance.

Ahner argued against the release, stating that Pranger had two drunk-driving convictions and a partner or family member assault conviction in Fresno, Calif. Pranger, however, said all three convictions were from more than 20 years ago.

Pranger’s attorney also referred to a 1992 battery charge that was diverted by Pranger attending classes.

After hearing all the arguments, District Judge Robert Allison declined to release Pranger on his own recognizance but reduced his bond from $40,000 to $10,000, which Pranger has posted.

As part of his release Pranger is required to live with the business owner who offered him a place to stay and he can have no unsupervised contact with anyone under age 18.

If convicted of both charges, Pranger faces up to six months in the Flathead County Detention Center, between two and 100 years or life in the Montana State Prison, and a fine of up to $50,500.

His next hearing is Wednesday.

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