Hunter Gallagher and his attorney, Diane Kay-Hougaboom, appeared virtually in the 47th Circuit Court Monday after reaching a plea agreement with Delta County Prosecutor Lauren Wickman. He was accused in April of holding a woman against her will in early April. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)

ESCANABA – A Gladstone man has pleaded guilty to kidnapping and assault charges after being accused of holding a female against her will in April, then fleeing downstate.

Hunter Grizz Gallagher, 24, and attorney Diane Kay-Hougaboom appeared virtually Monday in the 47th Circuit Court before Judge John Economopoulos for what originally was to be a final pre-trial conference. Delta County Prosecutor Lauren Wickman was present in court. Gallagher is in the Delta County Correctional Facility.

As part of a plea agreement, Gallagher entered the guilty plea to kidnapping, punishable by life or any term of years in prison; assault with intent to due great bodily harm less than murder of by strangulation, punishable by up to 10 years; assault with a dangerous weapon, punishable by up to four years; and weapons felony fireman, two years consecutively with and preceding any term of imprisonment imposed for the felony or attempted felony conviction, with the mandatory forfeiture of weapon or device. Charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge as well as one count of police officer-fleeing-third degree from a separate case were dropped.

Authorities accused Gallagher of restraining, kidnapping and sexually assaulting a female in Delta County over a 24-hour period April 6. According to a news release from the Michigan State Police, he was captured in Allegan County after fleeing to lower Michigan and arraigned there April 9 on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, resisting/obstructing a police officer and felony firearm,

Transferred to Delta County, he was arraigned April 14 in 94th District Court in Escanaba on charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, assault with a dangerous weapon and felony firearm. Bond was then set at $500,000 with conditions.

According to Monday’s plea hearing, Gallagher admitted to using a pistol to threaten the female and physically assaulting her by placing his hands on or near her neck, resulting in her breathing being restricted. Over the course of 24 hours, Gallagher also had sexual contact with the female, which he claimed was not his intent.

Sentencing has been set for Dec. 9.

In 2019, Gallagher, then 18, was sentenced in the 47th Circuit Court to a minimum of 40 months in prison after pleading guilty to criminal sexual assault charges along with co-defendants in two cases.