Standoff suspect in trouble since age 12

A Hungry Horse man who was arrested after a lengthy standoff with Flathead County law officers Tuesday evening has a criminal past that dates back to when he broke out of the county jail in 2012 when he faced several felony charges at the age of 12.

James Colby Smith escaped from the Flathead County Juvenile Detention Center in August 2012. It was the first time a person had escaped from that center.

Smith, then described as being just 5 feet tall and 90 pounds, was able to climb the handrail and jump to the ceiling struts in the outdoor recreation area.

He then climbed hand-over-hand along two walls to the northeast corner. There he managed to pry open a small area of metal in the roof and crawl out, according to then-Sheriff Chuck Curry.

After his escape, Smith allegedly stole a nearby girl’s bicycle and used it to flee the area. Smith was found a few hours later in a relative’s home in Evergreen.

Smith was initially jailed after being charged with 15 crimes, including two felony counts of burglary and two felony counts of theft, that was part of a crime spree involving seven incidents between April 27 and June 6, 2012, in Martin City, Columbia Falls and Hungry Horse.

According to court documents, Smith was alleged to have stolen or been involved in the theft of a 1998 Mazda Protege; a van; an all-terrain vehicle; a dirt bike; a “pocket rocket” motorcycle; several firearms including shotguns, rifles and pistols; Lortab tablets and Ambien pills.

Smith was sentenced to serve time at the Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility until he turned 18 or officials determined he was fit to be released.

An attorney for Smith at the time sought to have him placed in a therapeutic youth home program.

But District Judge Katherine Curtis followed a recommendation from a juvenile placement committee and the Flathead County Attorney’s Office.

In 2012, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Nick Nyman explained that after Smith was detained the first time, he was released on house arrest and promptly left the home and committed another crime. When he was detained again on Aug. 24, he only lasted five days before escaping from the Flathead County Juvenile Detention Center.

Nyman said Smith had 23 major incidents while incarcerated: pounding the walls, kicking, yelling, swearing and flooding his cell by plugging the shower and toilet with clothing.

But Smith’s run-ins with the law were far from over.

In June 2015, Smith, when he was 15, was charged with stealing a truck, crashing it through a gate, and leading law officers on a chase before being arrested. Further investigation revealed he had marijuana in his possession.

After pleading guilty to some of the offenses, Smith was sentenced to return to Pine Hills until his 18th birthday on Oct. 30, 2017.

But Smith was out before then and accused of meth possession in August 2016. That case was transferred to juvenile court.

He was also accused of assaulting an officer during a Aug. 28, 2017, traffic stop.

Court records indicate Flathead County Undersheriff Dave Leib stopped a vehicle driven by Smith because he had a felony probation violation warrant for his arrest. When Leib tried to arrest Smith by grabbing him through an open driver’s window, Smith then sped off. Leib let go of Smith, who later fled the vehicle. A Sheriff’s office helicopter was used to help find Smith. Smith then grabbed one of the helicopter’s skids, causing it to become imbalanced. He eventually let go and officers arrested him.

Smith pleaded guilty to criminal endangerment and was sentenced to return to Pine Hills until his 18th birthday.