Man sentenced to 40 years

POLSON — A Pablo man was sentenced to 40 years in jail for sex crimes against a minor after walking into a police station and declaring himself “a sexual predator” and admitting to having physical sexual contact with a 12-year-old girl for more than six months.

In Lake County District Court last Thursday, 33-year-old Conan Louie was sentenced to 60 years in the Montana State Prison with 20 years suspended. He won’t be eligible for parole until he completes two phases of the sexual offender treatment program.

According to Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Flathead Tribal Police reports, on May 17, Louie walked into the Tribal Law and Order offices, said that he was a sexual predator and that he had been having sexual contact with a 12-year-old girl. He also said that he was sick, needed help and had touched the victim on seven occasions.

He initially pleaded not guilty to the crime on May 26, before agreeing to a plea agreement on June 30. Louie faced a possible maximum penalty of 100 years and a $50,000 fine.