A Kalispell man accused of sexually abusing a non-blood relative several times in 2022 received a suspended sentence in Flathead County District Court in late October.  

Prosecutors initially charged Jeremy Michael Hoskin, 49, with two counts of felony incest and one count of tampering with or fabricating evidence. He struck a deal with prosecutors in May that saw him plead guilty to one count of incest by way of an Alford plea.  

In an Alford plea, a defendant maintains their innocence, but acknowledges a jury likely would find them guilty.  

At Hoskin's Oct. 24 sentencing, Judge Heidi Ulbrich gave him a 20-year suspended sentence in the Montana State Prison. He received credit for 30 days of time served and was designated a level one sex offender.  

Hoskin fell under investigation after a medical professional alerted authorities to allegations of sexual abuse in Bigfork in April 2022 by a client, according to court documents. The victim accused Hoskin of groping her breasts after taking her out to practice driving on April 19 of that year.  

Hoskin also allegedly tried to get her pants off and proposed the two get a hotel room.  

The victim provided investigators with text messages from Hoskin to corroborate her account, court documents said.  

The second incest charged stemmed from an alleged incident of sexual abuse earlier in 2022, according to court documents. 

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