C-Falls man pleads guilty by Alford plea to DUI No. 8

A 48-year-old Columbia Falls man pleaded guilty Dec. 29, 2011, to his eighth DUI charge in Montana.

Gregory Anklam, a carpenter, was stopped by the Montana Highway Patrol on May 14, 2011, when he was reportedly driving 62 mph in a 45 mph zone. He allegedly admitted to the trooper that he had been drinking and that he was an alcoholic. While unsteady on his feet, he refused to provide a breath sample.

Further investigation revealed Anklam had been convicted of DUIs in Montana on April 3, 1985, Jan. 6, 1986, Nov. 21, 1990, Nov. 23, 1992, July 5, 1994, Nov. 30 1998 and May 25, 2006.

A woman in Columbia Falls used her home to post his $30,000 bond, and Anklam was released to stay at her home on Aug. 26.

Anklam pleaded guilty before Flathead County District Court Judge Stewart Stadler by way of an Alford plea, meaning he maintained his innocence but acknowledged sufficient evidence existed to convict him.