A Kalispell man accused of attacking a downstairs tenant with a shovel in 2024 received a deferred sentence in Flathead County District Court earlier this year.  

Prosecutors charged Kane Kelly Youngquist, 47, with felony assault with a weapon following his March 25, 2024 arrest. Youngquist, who denied the allegations, pleaded no contest to a single count of felony criminal endangerment in November after striking a deal with the County Attorney's Office. 

Per the terms of the arrangement, prosecutors agreed to recommend a three-year deferred sentence.  

Judge Paul Sullivan stuck to the terms of the deal at Youngquist's Feb. 20 sentencing. Sullivan also gave Youngquist credit for eight days of time served.  

Kalispell Police officers arrested Youngquist after responding to a disturbance call on the 300 block of Seventh Avenue West about 9:38 a.m., March 25, 2024. Youngquist, who first phoned authorities to accuse a downstairs tenant of stabbing his fingers, was waiting on the home's front porch with still-bleeding hands, according to court documents.  

But investigators found a frantic and distraught woman with blood on her hands, face and forearms in the home's downstairs, court documents said. She accused Youngquist of breaking into the rented room on the lower level and attacking her with a shovel. She said she defended herself with a butter knife, according to court documents.  

The woman sported three bruises on her back that investigators described as consistent with being hit by a shovel, court documents said.  

Youngquist allegedly later admitted to going down to the lower level with a shovel. He grew coy when asked if he had struck the woman, according to court documents.  

"Maybe," he allegedly replied.  

Officers at the home described Youngquist as having several angry outbursts at the woman while they were at the scene. 

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