A Missoula man, 33 year-old Ruben Caldera, appeared in Missoula Justice Court on Wednesday charged with felony aggravated assault for allegedly strangling his girlfriend.

Court records indicate that early on Wednesday morning, police were called to a home in the 500 block of Brooks street because a woman was on the ground with a man (Caldera) on top of her. A passerby assisted the victim until police arrived. She told them Caldera had attempted to strangle her inside the home, and again outside.

Deputy Missoula County Attorney Selene Koepke asked Judge Karen Orzech for a high bail.

"The State would ask for $50,000 in this case," Koepke said. "It also appears the defendant has a hold order from Probation and Parole because he was on a conditional release before this case, so I don't think he'll be going anywhere."

Judge Orzech placed Caldera on $50,000 bail due to his criminal history and the nature of the offense. His next court appearance will be June 4.

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