A Flathead County man has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of kidnapping and assault with a weapon.
Jason Tad Pennington, 39, was arrested in June after allegedly kidnapping a woman and threatening her with a gun. Pennington appeared at an arraignment on July 20 before District Court Judge Amy Eddy.
According to court records, Pennington was at the woman’s home in Flathead County when he got angry and threatened to kill her and others. Pennington allegedly used zip ties to restrain the woman’s ankles and wrists and drove her into town with her vehicle. The woman also told police that at one point, Pennington strangled her and pointed a gun at her head.
Once they arrived in Kalispell, Pennington told the woman if she tried to escape he would shoot her.
Eventually, Pennington removed the zip ties from the woman’s wrists and ankles.
The woman reported Pennington to police and he was arrested at her home two days later. However, when the sheriff’s deputy arrived at the Flathead County Detention Center, Pennington tried to escape on foot. Officers quickly restrained him.
If convicted, Pennington could face up to 30 years in prison and $100,000 in fines. He is expected to go to trial this fall.