Jury finds Ailport guilty of attempted homicide, arson

A Polson man, accused of setting his truck on fire and intentionally driving into his neighbor’s home, was convicted by a Lake County jury on felony charges of attempted deliberate homicide with use of weapon, criminal mischief and arson.

Paul Glen Ailport, 65, had already been convicted of attempted deliberate homicide as part of a plea agreement reached Dec. 5, 2024. However, Judge John Larson of Missoula added a 10-year weapons enhancement, which deviated from the plea agreement and opened the door for Ailport to request a trial.

That trial began in District Court in Polson May 12 and ended the following afternoon with a guilty verdict on all charges. The jury deliberated for about an hour.

Ailport took the stand in his own defense and claimed the steering wheel locked up. Prosecutor Brendan McQuillan was quick to point out that Ailport had to steer around two parked cars and between two trees and drive approximately 186 yards away before ramming into his neighbor’s house.

According to court records, at about 9:20 a.m. 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. They 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 was occupied by a certain family member.

The property owner pulled Ailport 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 weighing 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, 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.

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

Judge Larson had not set a sentencing date as of press-time.