A 54 year-old Missoula man is in the Missoula County Jail on charges of incest.

The defendant, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim or victims, appeared in Missoula Justice Court on Wednesday, where Deputy County Attorney Mark Handelman asked Judge Landee Holloway for $75,000 bail.

“The State is asking for $75,000 bail for several reasons,” Handelman began. “First, he is a danger to the community. Although he has a limited criminal history, the victim describes this abuse happening over a period of six years, and her younger sister started the visitation with the defendant relatively recently, about the middle of last year. Due to the nature of the offense, and the risk to these children if the defendant is released, this necessitates a relatively high bail.”

After hearing arguments from the public defender at the Missoula County Jail, Judge Holloway set bail at $25,000 and ordered the defendant to be placed on pretrial supervision should he be released, and to have no contact with the alleged victims.

If convicted on all charges, the defendant could face from 100 years to life in prison and fines of up to $50,000.

The defendant’s next court appearance was scheduled for August 16.

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