Koldeway admits to felony sexual assault

A Polson man admitted to sexually assaulting a woman and skipping a court appearance. Jerod Eugene Koldeway, 45, entered a plea of guilty in District Court in Polson March 26 to the amended charge of felony sexual assault and bail jumping.

Koldeway was initially charged with sexual intercourse without consent. The plea was entered as part of an agreement that amended that charge and could dismiss the bail-jumping charge.

It comes with a joint recommendation of a 10-year commitment to the Montana Department of Corrections with all that time suspended. The judge is not bound by the agreement.

According to court records, on Oct. 15, 2023, a 13-year-old girl reported to her school counselor that she was sexually assaulted by Koldeway. The report led to the investigation and charges against him.

He was released from custody after he posted bond of $40,000. He was ordered to wear a monitoring device and to appear for a pretrial hearing on Feb. 28, 2024, but failed to appear, resulting in the bail-jumping charge.

Judge Molly Owen set sentencing for May 14. Koldeway made his appearance via Zoom and remains at liberty.