Missoula Man Charged With Assault With a Weapon

36 year-old William Chavez was charged in justice court with felony assault with a weapon, probation violation and violation of a protective order on Wednesday, after breaking into his ex-wife's home and pointing a shotgun at her.

Missoula Police Department spokesman Travis Welsh said the incident occurred on August 31.

"At about 7:30 p.m. officers responded to a disturbance on River Road regarding a man with a shotgun," Welsh said. "When they arrived they discovered that the suspect was the ex-husband of the woman who lived there, and that he had left in his vehicle. The victim said her ex-husband, identified as William Chavez, pointed a shotgun at her and another male inside the home. He had entered the residence uninvited."

Welsh said Chavez was arrested at about 5 p.m. on September 1 when he met with his parole officer.

Chavez was charged with felony assault with a weapon, along with violation of a protective order and a probation violation, both misdemeanors. He appeared Wednesday in Missoula Justice Court and posted $25,000 bond.

He was ordered to have no contact with his ex-wife or the other male and to refrain from drinking, and forbidden to have any weapons in his possession.

He will have a preliminary hearing later this month.