KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) — A 36-year-old man who was arrested after a six-hour standoff at a Kalispell hotel in which he is accused of barricading himself in a bathroom with a 17-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty.
KCFW-TV reports that Thomas Mulligan appeared in court Thursday and denied charges of kidnapping and criminal endangerment.
Authorities say Mulligan, who was arrested New Year’s Eve after a SWAT team stormed the hotel room, met the teen on the Internet several months ago. They say the two were traveling in a vehicle that was stolen from the boy’s grandmother in Filer, Idaho.
Mulligan, who has previous convictions of theft, burglary and kidnapping, was initially being pursued because of an alleged parole violation in Oregon. He has no criminal history in Montana.
