Montana Man Facing Federal Fugitive Charge

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - A Montana Army National Guardsman facing felony sex charges in Lewis and Clark County has been charged in federal court after failing to appear at a district court hearing.

The Independent Record reports that 38-year-old Jeffrey Lane Wenzel was charged Jan. 30 in federal court with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Prosecutors say Wenzel might be in Canada.

Wenzel is charged with a felony sex crime against a minor, plus two counts of sexual abuse of a child.

Prosecutors say Wenzel left his truck at the Glacier Park International Airport outside Kalispell with a note to his wife saying he couldn't get a fair trial.

He also sent a text message Jan. 15 to his commanding officer saying he wouldn't be returning to work.