C-Falls man charged with sexual abuse of children

A 20-year-old rural Columbia Falls man is facing sexual abuse charges for the second time in four years after he allegedly was caught having sexual relations with a 14-year-old girl.

Jacob Dalager faces two charges of sexual abuse of children and one charge of sexual intercourse without consent. He faces up to 100 years. His bond was set at $50,000, and his arraignment was scheduled for May 5.

According to court documents, a Montana probation officer learned about Dalager’s relations with the young girl in 2013. A search of Dalager’s phone and Facebook accounts allegedly turned up three photos of the young girl without clothes on and text messages between the two.

Dalager also allegedly admitted to an investigating sheriff’s detective that he had sexual intercourse with the young girl. A Facebook message between Dalager and a male friend indicated that Dalager knew the girl was under 16.

Four years ago, when Dalager was 16 and living in Kalispell, he was charged with felony sexual intercourse without consent and felony sexual assault for an incident involving a six-year-old girl and a $5 cash offer.

At the time, Dalager was already facing two counts of felony criminal distribution of dangerous drugs from a 2008 arrest when he was 14.

In a November 2011 plea deal, the state recommended a 20-year sentence that would be suspended after Dalager turned 18 or when he completed a Level 1 sexual offender program. He also would be required to complete a Level 2 program after he turned 18 and be designated a Tier 1 sexual offender.

Flathead County District Court Judge Stewart Stadler sentenced Dalager as per the plea deal, and Dalager headed off to the Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility in Miles City.

Pine Hills reports indicate Dalager played rough, was argumentative and manipulative, goofed off and was disrespectful of staff at first, but he made adjustments and completed his required programming. He was released to the community after he turned 18. He later moved to Blackmer Lane, south of Columbia Falls.