A Libby man is accused of threatening several teen-agers with an ax following an incident last month.

Keith Wayne Kidwell, 52, pleaded not guilty to assault with a weapon and obstruction charges Jan. 5 in Lincoln County District Court. He is being represented by Kalispell attorney Sean Hinchey.

His next court hearing is set for Feb. 9. 

The case began on the evening of Friday, Dec. 12 when Libby police officer Tim Steffenson was dispatched to the parking lot of the Libby Public Schools administration building at 8:11 p.m.

According to his report, Steffenson and county deputy Shaefer arrived at the scene and spoke to a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy. The 16-year-old said a man later identified as Kidwell walked up to them screaming, “you guys can’t be here!” while holding an ax in his right hand. The teen showed Steffenson a Snapchat photo of the defendant allegedly grabbing his shirt and putting the ax next to his face. Both teens said they felt threatened and that the man walked to a house on East 8th Street. 

County deputy Chris Pape, who joined the other two officers at the scene, wrote down the names of four other teens who reported witnessing the incident. They included two 18-year-old males and two 16-year-old females.

Steffenson and Shaefer walked to a house the teens said Kidwell entered. When Steffenson asked the accused about the incident, he allegedly denied it and he was asleep at the time. Steffenson said when he showed Kidwell the photo of a man walking toward the teens with an ax, the defendant denied it was him.

Deputy Shaefer radioed Steffenson that the two teens confirmed Kidwell was the man who threatened them.

Kidwell was arrested and taken to the Lincoln County Detention Center by deputy Pape and Steffenson photographed a T-shirt worn by one of the alleged victims. The shirt had a hole in it, allegedly caused when Kidwell grabbed the youth.

Kidwell posted $25,000 bail. In his conditions of release from the Lincoln County Justice Court, he was ordered to not possess or use any weapons, illegal drugs or alcohol or have contact with any of the alleged victims. He is also subject to drug and alcohol testing.

A conviction for felony assault with a weapon may result in a 20-year term in the Montana State Prison. A conviction on the misdemeanor obstruction charge may result in a six-month term in the county jail or a $500 fine.