Man in high speed chase facing other charges

The 34-year-old Whitefish man arrested Feb. 13 following a high-speed chase over Marias Pass to West Glacier had been arrested one week earlier after vandalizing his mother’s car and threatening his wife.

According to court records, John “Jack” Saxten was arrested Feb. 6 after he allegedly drove his mother’s car into several trees and smashed it with dumbbells. His mother said he warned her not to call the police or else he would shoot the officers and commit suicide.

Shortly afterwards, Saxten’s wife called to report that she had taken the car keys away from Saxten and that she was afraid he would assault her.

As Saxten was being transported to jail in a patrol car, he allegedly said, “You don’t know how much fun it is to trash a car with dumbbells.”

Saxten was charged with a felony count of criminal mischief and a misdemeanor count of partner-family member assault. He faces up to 10 years and a $50,000 fine if convicted of the felony charge. He posted a $15,000 bond and was released on the condition he underwent a mental health evaluation.

One week later Saxten was in Craig, where a woman who was reportedly Saxten’s ex-girlfriend called police and reported that Saxten had threatened to kill her current boyfriend. An attempt-to-locate alert was issued with the warning that Saxten might have a 12-gauge shotgun in his possession.

About 40 minutes later, the Glacier County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a man wearing a ski mask who stopped his vehicle in the middle of the road near Browning, more than 150 miles north of Craig. The man reportedly exited his vehicle and brandished a shotgun.

Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Montana Highway Patrol and Glacier County sheriff’s deputies pursued Saxten’s black Toyota Tundra west on U.S. 2 over Marias Pass at speeds reaching 70 mph.

Flathead County sheriff’s deputies set spike strips about two miles east of West Glacier, causing three of Saxten’s tires to blow out. He was apprehended without further incident and transported to the Cut Bank jail.

The Flathead County Attorney’s Office petitioned to revoke Saxten’s $15,000 bond the next day. A bench warrant was issued, and bail was set at $100,000.

Saxten’s attorney, Thane Johnson, filed a request in Flathead County District Court on March 6 that Saxten be released to live with his wife and be allowed to travel to the Menninger Clinic in Houston, Texas. Saxten reportedly needed eight weeks of treatment for bipolar disorder.

The Flathead County Attorney’s Office agreed to let Saxten go to the clinic. He pleaded not guilty to the Flathead County charges on May 2. His omnibus hearing is scheduled for Aug. 28.