United States of America v. Lane Blake Kirkaldie

Great Falls, Montana, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with:

18:113A.F STRANGULATION Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 1153(a) and 113(a)(8)
(1)
18:113C.F ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON; TITLE 18 USC 1153(a) and 113(a)(3)
(1s)
18:113E.P SIMPLE ASSAULT (PETTY OFFENSE); TITLE 18 USC 1153(a) and 113(a)(5)
(2s)

Lane Blake Kirkaldie, 21, was told to leave the house. Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 left the house with him. The trio walked to a business in Lodge Pole, which is equipped with surveillance cameras. In one of the surveillance videos, Kirkaldie can be seen throwing things before lunging toward Jane Doe 2. The video also shows him making threatening comments while holding a glass bottle.

A different surveillance video shows both Jane Does leave the building, with Kirkaldie trailing them outside. He tried to approach Jane Doe 2, and Jane Doe 1 put herself between them. She held Kirkaldie back as Jane Doe 2 returned inside. After he pushed her away, Kirkaldie struck Jane Doe 1 in the head with the glass bottle, which cut her head badly enough to require stitches.

being told to leave the house. Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 left the house with him. The trio walked to a business in Lodge Pole, which is equipped with surveillance cameras. In one of the surveillance videos, Kirkaldie can be seen throwing things before lunging toward Jane Doe 2. The video also shows him making threatening comments while holding a glass bottle.

A different surveillance video shows both Jane Does leave the building, with Kirkaldie trailing them outside. He tried to approach Jane Doe 2, and Jane Doe 1 put herself between them. She held Kirkaldie back as Jane Doe 2 returned inside. After he pushed her away, Kirkaldie struck Jane Doe 1 in the head with the glass bottle, which cut her head badly enough to require stitches.

MINUTE ENTRY for ARRAIGNMENT on SUPERSEDING INFORMATION and CHANGE OF PLEA HEARING for defendant LANE BLAKE KIRKALDIE held 1/28/2026 before Judge Brian Morris. AUSA Victoria Nickol, FD R. Hank Branom, defendant (not in custody), present. Defendant waives Arraignment on Superseding Information. Waiver of Indictment presented. Government outlines Plea Agreement. Defendant S/T and answers questions from the Court. Indictment and Information received, and Defendant understands charges. Plea Agreement discussed. Defendant satisfied with Counsel Branom. Maximum penalties, constitutional rights and right to a jury trial stated; rights waived. Sentencing process explained. AUSA states elements of offense and offer of proof; defendant states objection. Government to file an Amended Offer of Proof. Allocution; Offer of Proof incorporated, subject to objection on page 4. Defendant pleads GUILTY to Count I and II of the Superseding Information. Court finds Defendant competent, plea knowing and voluntarily made. Court accepts plea. PSR ordered. SENTENCING set for May 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Government is not seeking detention pursuant to plea agreement. Defendant will remain on release subject to the same conditions previously imposed. Defendant advised of consequences of violating conditions. Hearing commenced at 1:34 p.m. and concluded at 2:10 p.m. (Court Reporter Janet Davis by Zoom from WY) (Law Clerk: S. Carter), (Hearing held in Charles Pray Crtrm (Great Falls) (ACC) (Entered: 01/28/2026)