A young Bigfork man with five pending felony cases was released from jail on Thursday against the wishes of the Flathead County Attorney’s Office.

Harland Robert Jordan, 18, is facing three counts of felony theft, one count of felony burglary, and one count of issuing a bad check.

“It must be the Christmas spirit – I am going to release you on your own recognizance,” Flathead District Judge Heidi Ulbricht told Jordan before imposing house arrest and electronic monitoring for alcohol consumption.

Ulbricht also required Jordan to live with his parents after he initially requested to live with a female friend.

Prosecutor Andrew Clegg urged Ulbricht to keep Jordan in jail and pointed out that he has been charged with six felony cases in the past year. On July 30, Jordan was sentenced to a five-year suspended sentence for leading officers on a 90 mph, alcohol-fueled chase that only ended after spike strips were deployed.

“He’s a poor bet to let out until sentencing,” Clegg said.

Jordan claimed his past offenses were behind him.

“I don’t want to be in trouble any more,” Jordan said. “I just went to get this all done with and move on ... I’ve hit my bottom. House arrest, I think, would be best for me.”

Ulbricht encouraged Jordan to seek employment and treatment for chemical dependency while he was awaiting trial.

He is accused of writing a series of 14 bad checks in someone else’s name between Oct. 7 and Oct. 21, totaling more than $2,500.

Additionally he is accused of stealing an ATV from Three Mile Drive on Oct. 13, taking a vehicle on a joyride and burglarizing Bigfork and Kalispell businesses and homes on Oct. 26.

Jordan’s next court date is Jan. 7, when prosecutors will attempt to revoke Jordan’s previous suspended sentence.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.