A 50-year-old Flathead Valley man is being held in the county jail on $200,000 bail after allegedly threatening his girlfriend with a gun in April.  

Dale Alan Pinneke pleaded not guilty to a felony count of assault with a weapon before Judge Danni Coffman at his April 30 arraignment in Flathead County District Court. He is expected to be back in court for a pretrial conference on Aug. 3.  

Pinneke's victim told Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies that the two began arguing after she returned from work about 10 p.m., April 17, according to court documents. She headed to bed only to be awoken about 2 a.m. when Pinneke entered the bedroom yelling about a text message conversation between her and a coworker. The two had joked about Pinneke, making him irate, court documents said.  

An angered Pinneke allegedly armed himself with a black Glock-style handgun and threatened to kill her and then turn the weapon on himself. Approaching her while she was curled into the fetal position on the bed, he allegedly pressed the gun against her kneecap, then her abdomen and later against the side of her head.  

The victim told investigators she believed Pinneke was trying to punish her or intimidate her, according to court documents.  

After arresting Pinneke, deputies secured a search warrant for his vehicle and found a go bag inside, court documents said. A search of the home where the alleged assault took place uncovered a loaded black Glock 43, court documents alleged. One round was allegedly chambered in the handgun.  

If convicted of assault with a weapon, Pinneke faces up to 20 years behind bars and a $50,000 fine. 

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.