A Hungry Horse man who was arrested after a lengthy standoff with Flathead County law officers Tuesday evening has a criminal past that dates back to when he broke out of the county jail in 2012 when he was faced several felony charges at the age of 12.

James Coby Smith, 20, is currently being held in the Flathead County Detention Center on charges of criminal mischief, burglary, resisting arrest, obstructing a police officer and parole violation, according to the Hungry Horse News.

No one was seriously injured in the incident and Smith surrendered after law enforcement used tear gas on him.

Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies first confronted Smith while investigating a report of stolen snowmobiles located at an address on River Drive in Hungry Horse, Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino said. During the investigation Smith ran from the location after falling out of the ceiling of one of the buildings on the property, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office. He allegedly fled the house through a window.

Deputies deployed a Taser without making contact and Smith then ran into a nearby vacation rental that was being rented by an Air Force serviceman and his wife who were in the hot tub on the deck at the time. The renter followed the Smith into the rental and pushed Smith, who had been pleading for the man’s help, out of the house, the serviceman, who declined to give his name, told the Hungry Horse News.

Smith then jumped a fence, the serviceman said, and ran into yet another residence, this one unoccupied. Smith then allegedly barricaded himself in the residence by blocking doorways and other entrances. Deputies were concerned because there were firearms in the home. After the standoff was over, search warrants were served and investigators learned Smith had fired rounds inside the home, causing some damage.

A standoff ensued, lasting from about 2:30 to 7 p.m. Deputies, the Sheriff’s SWAT team, Columbia Falls police, Montana Highway Patrol and Kalispell Special Response Team all responded.

Law officers repeatedly attempted to talk Smith out of the house, including trying to communicate with him over a loudspeaker system. Officers also deployed a noise flash diversionary device or “flash bang” in hopes of eliciting a response, Heino said. Officers eventually spoke with Smith, who was reportedly combative and made threats, Heino said.

Officers then lobbed a canister of tear gas into the house.

Smith exited the house, was taken into custody, evaluated by medical personnel and transported to the county jail, Heino said.

Smith has faced several charges in the Flathead over the years, according to court documents, including methamphetamine possession and assaulting a law officer.

A 2012 Daily Inter Lake story detailed Smith’s escape from the Flathead County Juvenile Detention Center in August 2012. It was the first time a person had escaped from that center.

Smith, then described as being just 5 feet tall and 90 pounds, was able to climb the handrail and jump to the ceiling struts in the outdoor recreation area.

He then climbed hand-over-hand along two walls to the northeast corner. There he managed to pry open a small area of metal in the roof and crawl out, according to then-Sheriff Chuck Curry.

After his escape, Smith allegedly stole a nearby girl’s bicycle and used it to flee the area. Smith was found a few hours later in a relative’s home in Evergreen.

Smith was initially jailed after being charged with 15 crimes, including two felony counts of burglary and two felony counts of theft, that was part of a crime spree involving seven incidents between April 27 and June 6, 2012, in Martin City, Columbia Falls and Hungry Horse.

According to court documents, Smith was alleged to have stolen or been involved in the theft of a 1998 Mazda Protege; a van; an all-terrain vehicle; a dirt bike; a “pocket rocket” motorcycle; several firearms including shotguns, rifles and pistols; Lortab tablets and Ambien pills.

Smith was sentenced to serve time at the Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility until he turned 18 or officials determined he was fit to be released.

An attorney for Smith at the time sought to have him placed in a therapeutic youth home program.

But District Judge Katherine Curtis followed a recommendation from a juvenile placement committee and the Flathead County Attorney’s Office.

In 2012, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Nick Nyman explained that after Smith was detained the first time, he was released on house arrest and promptly left the home and committed another crime. When he was detained again on Aug. 24, he only lasted five days before escaping from the Flathead County Juvenile Detention Center.

Nyman said Smith had 23 major incidents while incarcerated: pounding the walls, kicking, yelling, swearing and flooding his cell by plugging the shower and toilet with clothing.

But Smith’s run-ins with the law were far from over.

In June 2015, Smith, when he was 15, was charged with stealing a truck, crashing it through a gate, and leading law officers on a chase before being arrested. Further investigation revealed he had marijuana in his possession.

After pleading guilty to some of the offenses, Smith was sentenced to return to Pine Hills until his 18th birthday on Oct. 30, 2017.

But Smith was out before then and accused of meth possession in August 2016. That case was transferred to juvenile court.

He was also accused of assaulting an officer during a Aug. 28, 2017, traffic stop.

Court records indicate Flathead County Undersheriff Dave Leib stopped a vehicle driven by Smith because he had a felony probation violation warrant for his arrest. When Leib tried to arrest Smith by grabbing him through an open driver’s window, Smith then sped off. Leib let go of Smith, who later fled the vehicle. A Sheriff’s Office helicopter was used to help find Smith. Smith then grabbed one of the helicopter’s skids, causing it to become imbalanced. He eventually let go and officers arrested him.

Smith pleaded guilty to criminal endangerment and was sentenced to return to Pine Hills until his 18th birthday.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.

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