A Mexican national and accused drug dealer arrested after a high-speed chase through Kalispell in June pleaded guilty to illegal reentry in federal court on Wednesday.

Baldemar Duarte-Nieto, 46, has been removed from the United States at least four times, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Missoula. His last removal from the country occurred in November 2021.  

His other convictions include assault with a weapon, carjacking, conspiracy, bringing a controlled dangerous substance into a prison and false statements, according to federal prosecutors. 

Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Duarte-Nieto in Kalispell on June 26 after receiving a tip from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security about a possible suspect in the area. At the time of his arrest, Duarte-Nieto had an arrest warrant from Washington for the unlawful delivery of heroin. 

Duarte-Nieto fled when deputies attempted to pull his vehicle over near South Meridian Road, according to court documents. The ensuing chase reached speeds of up to 80 mph and ended after Duarte-Nieto collided with a tree and a parked vehicle on Fifth Street West.   

Duarte-Nieto pleaded guilty to felony criminal endangerment in Flathead County District Court in September and received a five-year suspended sentence. 

He remains in custody in the Missoula County Jail while awaiting sentencing in federal court. He faces a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years, a $100,000 fine and 3 years of supervised release. 

U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy is scheduled to preside over the sentencing on March 13, 2026. 

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 758-4433 or [email protected].