A man admitted in court on Thursday that he wrote bad checks and committed forgery more than a decade ago, stealing nearly $12,000 from his Flathead Valley victims.

In Flathead District Court on Thursday, Michael John Crane agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of forgery and another felony count of issuing a bad check.

Crane told District Judge Amy Eddy that he had been in a difficult place when he committed the crimes a decade ago. He was struggling with the death of his mother and caring for his father, he testified.

He admitted that he changed the name on a check meant for Western Building Center to his name and that he had written a number of bad checks to local casinos and other establishments.

Crane said he sobered up in 2008, but had not taken care of the felony charges. He said he looked forward to the opportunity to pay restitution to his victims.

“It’s a blessing,” he said.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected].