A Flathead County man has admitted that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in 2014.
Noah Lavern Powell pleaded guilty on May 11 to an amended charge of felony sexual assault in Flathead County District Court. Powell was accused of raping two girls in 2014. A second charge of sexual intercourse without consent was dismissed with prejudice in accordance with a plea agreement signed earlier this spring.
According to court documents, the Kalispell Police Department received a report of an assault on June 18, 2015 from a mother who said Powell victimized her daughter. The 11-year-old girl told authorities that Powell had touched her on multiple occasions the previous year. The girl also said that Powell allegedly told her “don’t tell anybody what I’m going to do to you” prior to assaulting her.
The report of the assault on the 11-year-old came the same month Powell was charged with sexual intercourse without consent following an incident with a 13-year-old girl in late 2014.
In that case, the girl told authorities that her mother was dating Powell at the time and in early October she spent time at his home in Kila. During one of those visits, Powell gave the girl alcohol and marijuana before raping her while she was intoxicated.
Powell pleaded not guilty to both counts of felony sexual assault with intercourse.
This year, Powell signed a plea agreement where he would plead guilty to an amended charge of sexual assault in the case involving the 13-year-old girl. The case involving the 11-year-old was dismissed.
According to the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a 40-year sentence to the Montana State Prison with 30 years suspended. Prosecutors will also recommend that before being eligible for parole, Powell will complete sexual offender courses.
Prior to sentencing he will complete a sexual offender evaluation. Powell will be sentenced on August 11.