A Kalispell man accused of being under the influence of methamphetamine while holding his infant son was recently sentenced to serve time behind bars.

Angel W. Perez, 27, of Kalispell, who entered a plea of guilty to one count of criminal endangerment, was given a five-year sentence to the Montana Department of Corrections by Flathead County District Judge Amy Eddy.

Also, Perez received a five-year sentence for assault with a weapon in reference to a 2015 case when Perez pleaded guilty to threatening to kill a woman with a razor blade. Perez was sentenced to 10 years, with five suspended in that case.

The sentences will be served concurrently. He did receive credit for a total of 338 days served in the county jail.

There were other conditions Perez must abide by, including completing a parenting class, earning a high school equivalency before his release, providing a DNA sample, obtaining evaluations for mental health and chemical dependency and participating in a sobriety and drug monitoring program.

Perez was charged with the most recent incident on the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 19, in Evergreen that involved his infant son, according to a press release from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Department.

“I think the worst thing I could have done was hold the child while crossing the road,” Perez said in court.

Deputies responded to 1695 Montana 35 for a welfare check on a man and his infant son. The reporting party indicated the man had been acting paranoid and she feared for the safety of the child. A few minutes later a second call was received by dispatch, indicating a man was running around in the road and parking lot of the Town Pump, 2605 U.S. 2 E., with no shirt on and holding the infant.

Deputies responded and negotiated with the Perez, and took custody of the child. The child was evaluated by medical personnel.

Perez was treated at the scene by medics and transported to the hospital for further evaluation.

Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or [email protected].