A West Glacier man accused of sexually assaulting an underage relative pleaded not guilty in Flathead County District Court on Thursday.  

Richard Albert Dalimata, 72, faces felony counts of sexual assault and incest after the Flathead County Sheriff's Office began investigating him over the summer. He was arraigned before Judge Paul Sullivan on Sept. 10 and remains in the county jail with bail set at $250,000. 

The allegations came to light after the girl, who had moved to Wyoming to live with her father in late December or early January, returned to Flathead County in the spring for a visit, according to court documents. She told her father about the alleged sexual assaults, and he notified the girl’s mother in Flathead County. She, in turn, contacted the Sheriff’s Office on June 30.  

During a forensic interview in July, the child told investigators that Dalimata groped her genitals and sexually assaulted her, court documents said. She remembered Dalimata instructing her to keep quiet and to keep it a secret between the two of them, according to court documents.  

Meeting with investigators on Aug. 19, Dalimata said that the girl had grabbed his hands and placed them in the area of her genitals on several occasions, according to court documents. He allegedly said she asked him to tickle her there.  

He also said the child had grabbed his genitals several times, according to court documents.  

Although Dalimata initially denied sexually assaulting the girl, he ultimately admitted to it, saying it occurred during her visit to Montana in the spring of 2026, court documents said.  

Owing to the victim's age, Dalimata faces up to between four and 100 years behind bars and a $50,000 fine if convicted of the sexual assault charge. Incest carries a maximum penalty of up to 100 years in the state prison 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.