Gravelle sentenced to 13 years for theft, burglary, drugs

A Big Arm man was committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for a total of 13 years, with five years suspended.

Kenneth Ambrose Gravelle, 40, entered a plea of guilty in Polson District Court Dec. 20 to felony charges of theft, burglary and criminal possession of dangerous drugs. The guilty plea came as part of an agreement that dismisses another drug possession charge.

According to court records, on Aug. 25, 2023, a man riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle, who was later identified as Gravelle, broke into an RV at the Big Arm Resort and stashed alcohol in the saddle bags on the motorcycle. Law enforcement documented damage to the RV’s door, later estimated at $2,500-$3,000.

A Harley matching the description of the suspect’s was located several days later at an auto repair shop in Polson. Gravelle was located sleeping inside a vehicle nearby.

Gravelle was already facing a charge involving the theft of a 2010 Audi Q5 from Missoula, that was recovered in the Arlee area March 21, as well as drug possession charges. In the Audi incident, Gravelle was discovered by the tow-truck driver, who noticed him sleeping in the back seat of the car with the keys in his possession. Law enforcement had to break a window to gain access to Gravelle.

When officers booked him into the Lake County Jail, he was in possession of methamphetamine.

Judge Molly Owen gave Gravelle credit for having already served 136 days in jail.