A 49 year-old western Montana man appeared in Missoula Justice Court on Wednesday to face charges of incest for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor relative.

Deputy Missoula County Attorney Caitlin Williams asked Judge Marie Andersen that the defendant’s $250,000 arrest warrant be continued as his bond.

“This defendant sexually assaulted a 17 year-old minor,” said Williams. “The State filed a warrant for $250,000 after learning that the defendant was threatening to commit suicide after he left a treatment center where he was being treated for sex, pornography and gambling addictions. That information came as an email to the victim’s mother after he was served with an order of protection, so the defendant’s conduct in disobeying a court order does not bode well for his future in the community, so the State feels that a high bond is warranted.”

The defendant’s attorney, appearing with him via video from the Missoula County Jail, asked the judge to release the defendant on his own recognizance, so that he could continue working and providing health insurance benefits to the victim.

Judge Andersen set bail at $200,000, and directed the defendant to appear again on January 9, and if released on bond, to obey the order of protection and have no contact with the victim.

KGVO News has not revealed the identity of the suspect, nor provided a booking photo, in order to protect the identity of the minor victim in this case.

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