Paul Ailport enters Alford plea for attempted homicide

Visiting District Court Judge John Larson of Missoula set a sentencing date of Feb. 13 for a Pablo man who allegedly slammed his pick-up into his neighbor’s house, nearly killing someone.

Paul Glen Ailport, 65, entered an Alford plea in District Court in Polson Dec. 5 to felony attempted homicide. In an Alford plea, a defendant does not actually plead guilty but concedes that, based on the state's evidence, the case would result in a conviction.

The plea was entered as part of an agreement that could dismiss all other charges against him. The judge is called upon to determine the punishment but is not bound by the agreement.

According to court records, at about 9:20 the morning of Nov. 10, 2023, reports were made to Lake County emergency dispatchers of a truck “crashing into a residence.” The vehicle engulfed in flames and the driver was slumped over within the truck.

The reporting party indicated that the driver appeared to deliberately drive the truck into the residence. The reporting party also indicated that Ailport previously threatened to drive his truck into his neighbor’s home on Paper Trail Road. One neighbor said Ailport had even asked which bedroom belonged to a particular resident of the residence was theirs.

The property owner pulled Aiplort from the truck. He had burns on his back, shoulders, right arm and hand. He had to be transported to a burn unit in Utah for treatment.

An investigation documented “severe fire damage to the northern wall and siding” of the residence. A 19-year-old female was about to step into the shower when the collision knocked a steel beam through the wall. The beam (approximately 13.5 feet long and weighed about 300 pounds) narrowly missed her head.

The investigation also led to the discovery of a 228 shot “Triple Cannon” firework that had fallen out of the truck and ignited. Burn marks in the grass, which appeared to be caused by exploding fireworks were also documented.

After being treated for his burns in Utah, Ailport was transported back to the Lake County Jail to face charges.

Ailport was already facing charges of criminal endangerment and criminal possession of dangerous drugs at the time. Those charges stem from an incident July 13, 2023, when Ailport allegedly fired a weapon towards a neighbor’s homes while high on methamphetamine.