A St. Ignatius man, accused of attempting to gain access to a residence on Eagle Pass Trail, pled guilty in Polson District Court June 24 to a lesser charge.

Cody Rea Hatton, 44, entered into a plea agreement that amended an attempted burglary to misdemeanor disorderly conduct. It calls for 10 days in jail; Hatton had served 223 days in jail.

According to court records, on Sept. 18, 2025, Hatton’s truck got stuck on Eagle Pass Trail. Another motorist said he was helping to get the truck unstuck and allegedly overheard Hatton say he had to “right some wrongs” and that he was “going to take care of the (family’s last name), and use violence to do so.”

Later that same day, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a member of the family saying that Hatton was in their field making his way toward their residence with blood on his face.

The reporting party secured the residence and waited in the driveway. They reported seeing Hatton attempt to gain access to the residence.

A number of law enforcement agencies responded and found Hatton still on the property when they arrived. He was allegedly in possession of two knives.

The charging documents do not provide a motive to the incident and there is no known connection between Hatton and the family.

Judge Molly Owen was initially reluctant to go along with the plea agreement. However, Hatton’s attorney, Justin Kalmbach, indicated that Hatton had suffered a head injury, possibly when he got his truck stuck, and was bleeding from his head.

Kalmbach also said his client was not wearing a shirt and probably looked a little scary, but had no ill intentions.