Kendall back in custody

After more than a week on the run, Jeremiah Kendall is back in custody.

Undersheriff Brad Dodson confirmed that authorities arrested the 40-year-old Friday afternoon. Authorities made two other arrests related to the case around the same time.

Kendall had fled house arrest more than a week ago, departing his home April 7 on a four-wheeler, according to court documents. Authorities unsuccessfully searched the Libby Creek and Crazyman Creek areas in the hours after his disappearance.

Relatives of Kendall’s victim celebrated the news on social media overnight. Kendall had pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and tampering with physical evidence stemming from the 2014 beating of his then girlfriend.

Lincoln County District Judge Matthew Cuffe handed Kendall a 20-year bid in the Montana State Prison on March 29 for aggravated assault. He was to follow his stint behind bars with a suspended, 10-year sentence for tampering with physical evidence, meaning he would remain under supervision for another decade. He also was to serve out the remainder of a federal sentence and pay restitution.

Kendall did not attend his sentencing hearing in person. Instead, he watched through videoconferencing software. Cuffe announced earlier in the day that health officials had placed the defendant in quarantine after he came into contact with an individual infected with the coronavirus.

Although Kendall’s defense attorney asked for a continuance, Cuffe opted to alter the sentence slightly. He placed Kendall on house arrest until April 9 when he was to turn himself in to local authorities.

Under the terms of his house arrest, Kendall was to remain in the home. No one not already living at the residence was permitted to enter.