Oct. 29—A California man serving a suspended sentence out of Flathead County District Court in connection with an armed motor vehicle chase through Columbia Falls is back in county jail after racking up violations.

Charles Delaney Warren, 31, was convicted of felony criminal endangerment and misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in 2024 after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors. In April of that year, Judge Dan Wilson handed down a suspended three-year sentence for the felony and a one-year sentence with all but seven days suspended for the misdemeanor.

Although Warren began serving out his sentence in Kalispell, he moved to California in August 2024, according to documents filed in district court.

In July of this year, Warren was convicted in the Superior Court of California of possessing a stolen firearm and sentenced to three months and seven days of jail time, according to a violation report written by his probation and parole officer. In September, he was convicted of forgery in the same court, earning a sentence of a little more than three months.

“The defendant has responded poorly to supervision as indicated by his most recent convictions in California,” wrote Lee Yandi, Warren’s probation and parole officer. “This crime mimics his previous conviction in Flathead County, Montana, and I believe he currently poses a risk to the safety of the community.”

Yandi recommended that Warren receive a three-year sentence with the state Department of Corrections if found in violation of the terms of his suspended sentence.

Warren is scheduled to appear before Judge Dan Wilson on Nov. 20 on the revocation proceedings.

Warren picked up the Flathead County case after his victims accused him of chasing their gray SUV through Columbia Falls in September 2023. Cutting them off and forcing them to a stop, Warren allegedly hopped out of his pickup and onto Railroad Street armed with a black 10 mm pistol. Investigators believe he tossed the weapon back into his truck as Columbia Falls Police officers arrived.

Describing Warren as sporting bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, officers sought a breath sample. It returned with a breath alcohol concentration of .156, court documents said.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].