A 30-year-old man accused of punching a Kalispell Police officer in the face in March pleaded not guilty Thursday to multiple assault charges. 

Prosecutors brought Matthew Timothy Kuehnel, who does not have an address listed with the court, up on a felony count of assault on a peace officer and a misdemeanor count of assault following a pair of alleged confrontations on March 21. Kuehnel, who remains held in the county jail with bail set at $50,000, entered his not guilty plea before Judge Dan Wilson in Flathead County District Court on April 11. 

Kuehnel’s run-in with police officers occurred after authorities tracked him down in an East Idaho Street fast food restaurant in connection with an earlier assault, according to court documents. A Washington Street resident phoned 911 after a stranger, described as short and heavyset, punched him in the face while he stood in front of his home. 

The stranger, who struck apparently at random with a closed fist, then headed west on Washington Street, court documents said. 

Authorities found a man matching the victim’s description inside an East Idaho Street fast food restaurant and identified him as Kuehnel, according to court documents. When officers told him he was under arrest and instructed him to stand up, turn around and widen his stance, Kuehnel just turned his head to glance at them. 

Then he allegedly swung his right fist over his left shoulder, hitting an officer in the cheek with a closed fist, court documents said. 

Authorities tackled Kuehnel to the ground, where he allegedly continued to struggle until officers deployed a Taser. 

The injured officer reported feeling “significant pain and momentary disorientation” from the blow, according to court documents. He later noted swelling and red marks below his left eye, court documents said. 

Assault on a peace officer is punishable by between two and 10 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. Misdemeanor assault carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $500 fine. 

During Kuehnel’s April 11 arraignment, defense attorney William Managhan unsuccessfully sought to see his bail lowered. Though denying the motion, Wilson left Managhan the option to revisit the request in the future.

Wilson set an omnibus hearing in the case for April 17 with a pretrial conference to follow on June 4.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].