A Kalispell man has been convicted of a pair of felonies after getting into a fight with his fiancee before fighting a deputy.

Caleb Buzzell, 24, appeared Thursday in Flathead District Court, where he pleaded no contest to assault on a peace officer and guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

Buzzell testified that he had consumed quite a bit of alcohol Aug. 9, 2013, before arguing with his fiancee, then getting into an altercation with the deputy. He claimed he did not recall striking the deputy.

A court document states that a clerk at the gas station where he had the argument was asked by his fiancee to call police. Buzzell fled and was found hiding on the other side of the parking lot. He then ran from the responding deputy.

The deputy reported he grabbed Buzzell’s wrist, who responded by pulling away and ripping the deputy’s sleeve before charging at the deputy and striking him in the face. A witness intervened and helped the deputy restrain Buzzell.

The deputy’s thumb was injured.

During his testimony, Buzzell admitted the basis for the second charge, that several hydrocodone pills not prescribed to him were found in his pocket after he was arrested.

According to a plea agreement, the Flathead County Attorney’s Office is going to recommend four years suspended for each of the two charges at an April 10 sentencing hearing.

Buzzell retains the right to argue for a lesser sentence, including a deferred sentence.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at [email protected].