A Kalispell man who attacked a man he believed had hit on his girlfriend in a popular bar near Columbia Falls last spring later received a suspended jail sentence.  

Dakota Douglas Laverdure, 26, initially pleaded not guilty to a felony count of aggravated assault in Flathead County District Court following the April 22, 2025 beating. But he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault July 31 after striking a deal with prosecutors.  

Judge Amy Eddy, who presided over the case, handed down a suspended six-month jail sentence that same day. She gave Laverdure credit for one day of time served and ordered him to pay $3,500 in restitution.  

Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies headed to the bar about 1:41 a.m. at the behest of the victim, who accused Laverdure of punching him in the face, according to court documents. Witnesses recalled Laverdure confronting the victim outside the bar before landing a punch.  

Laverdure approached the victim a second time to apologize, but when the victim swore at him, Laverdure started swinging once more, court documents said. After five or six punches, the victim fell to the ground.  

Suffering a fractured tooth and a nasal fracture, the victim later received stitches on his nose and lips, court documents said. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 406-758-4430 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.