Kalispell man enters Alford plea to indecent exposure

The trial for a Kalispell man accused of exposing himself to a minor has been avoided. Cole Michael Jacob, 33, entered an Alford plea in Polson District Court March 4 to felony indecent exposure, the same day his trial was set to begin. 

In an Alford plea a defendant concedes the case based on state’s evidence, resulting in a conviction without the defendant admitting guilt.

According to court records, on Jan. 31, 2023, a man reported to the Lake County Sheriff’s office that a man had exposed himself to his 13-year-old daughter the day before. The daughter told investigators that she was walking home from school on Jan. 30, 2023, when a gray car with a black spoiler pulled up next to her on Acre Lawn Court in Ronan and the driver asked her if she needed a ride. 

The girl refused the offer and kept walking. She indicated the gray car pulled up to her couple more times. The third time, the driver exposed himself to the girl. 

Investigators were able to use video surveillance from one of the Ronan schools and from an area business to identify the car. Lake County Sheriff’s deputies also posted images of the gray car to a social media account. An anonymous tip came in indicating the gray car could be located in Evergreen and that the man who usually drives it is a young man with a lot of tattoos. 

Later, another anonymous tip came in indicating the gray car was in Ronan. The gray car was the subject of a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 93 near mile marker 55. The driver, later identified as Jacob, matched the description the girl gave to investigators.

Because the Alford plea came after the omnibus hearing Jacob will be subject to the full maximum punishment of 20 years in prison. Judge Molly Owen set the case for sentencing May 8. 

Prosecutor Lori Adams with the Lake County Attorney’s Office indicated she will seek the full 20 years while Jacob can argue for a lesser sentence. He's being held in the Lake County Jail on a $50,000 bond.