In a recent legal development, a man from Troy has pleaded guilty in a high-profile case involving a multi-state police chase. Caleb David Covey, aged 38, entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill in Lincoln County District Court. The plea was accepted by Judge Amy Eddy, who presides over Flathead County. Covey’s sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24.
Covey faced charges of seven counts of felony criminal mischief and one count of felony criminal endangerment. Several other charges were dropped following a plea deal negotiated between Lincoln County Deputy Attorney Jeff Zwang and Covey’s attorney, Sean Hinchey. The agreement suggests Covey’s commitment to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, indicating that any sentence he receives will be served at the state hospital in Warm Springs.
Covey’s possible sentence could extend to a maximum of 80 years if served consecutively. Currently released on a $750,000 bail, he might also be required to pay restitution. Additionally, Covey is prohibited from consuming or possessing alcohol or illegal drugs and must continue taking his prescribed medications.
The dramatic chase involving Covey unfolded on January 13, 2024, spanning areas from Libby, south Lincoln County, Sanders County, to eastern Idaho. The incident began when Libby Police Officer Don Luthey responded to a possible hit-and-run collision on Main Avenue. Covey was reportedly involved in towing a camouflage-colored Toyota pickup that struck several objects, including a fence, a parked vehicle, and a power pole.
Civilians, alongside law enforcement, attempted to halt Covey’s reckless driving. The pursuit concluded when Covey’s vehicle was maneuvered off the road by Capt. John Davis of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, who later resigned. Covey was reportedly injured during the arrest, attributing his self-inflicted wounds to an attempt to avoid imprisonment.
Following the incident, Covey was initially held in a confidential location after receiving medical attention at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He pleaded not guilty to several felony charges on February 26, 2024, but was released on bail in July. Later developments revealed concerns about Covey’s mental health and adherence to prescribed medications, resulting in his return to custody in late October after a report by Probation and Parole Officer Alice Rhodes.
Covey’s record includes previous legal encounters, including a 2015 arrest related to a domestic disturbance, resulting in a plea deal and a subsequent suspended sentence in 2016. In 2019, he received a 10-year sentence, with five years suspended, following a separate police chase in 2018.
Life in Focus
This case highlights the complexities of dealing with individuals with mental health issues within the criminal justice system. The plea of guilty but mentally ill implies a recognition of Covey’s condition and its impact on his actions. His potential commitment to a mental health facility instead of a conventional prison sentence reflects an effort to address underlying issues amid legal proceedings.
The incident also draws attention to community safety and the challenges law enforcement faces when pursuing fugitives across vast and varied landscapes. It underscores the importance of collaboration between police, legal entities, and mental health services in ensuring both public safety and the well-being of individuals like Covey. As this case unfolds, it may serve as a catalyst for discussions on improving systemic responses to similar scenarios in the future.