A Kalispell man alleged to have spent thousands of dollars on a stolen credit card has pleaded not guilty to felony deceptive practices.

Shane Christensen, 18, entered the plea May 1 in Flathead District Court.

Christensen and 19-year-old Severin Gislason of Kalispell originally were charged with six counts each of felony burglary as well as deceptive practices for a string of burglaries in Bigfork. 

A lack of evidence tying Christensen to the burglaries themselves was the reason for the eliminated charges.

Footprints left on the doors kicked in during the burglaries allegedly matched the tread pattern of Gislason’s shoes, supporting the full slate of charges.

Christensen is in the Flathead County Detention Center, where his bond is set at $25,000. Gislason initially was incarcerated on a $60,000 bond but was released on informal house arrest by Justice of the Peace Mark Sullivan, who declined to reduce or eliminate Christensen’s bond.

Gislason was arrested roughly one week after the burglaries while Christensen  turned himself in a month after the crimes.

If convicted, Christensen faces up to 10 years in the Montana State Prison and a fine of up to $50,000, while Gislason faces up to 130 years in the prison and a fine of up to $350,000 if convicted of all of his charges. Both could also be ordered to pay restitution.

The next hearing for each man is set for June 11.