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Ross Habets made his initial court appearance on Thursday, facing a felony charge of aggravated assault for allegedly beating Charles Stoner without provocation while Stoner was fishing with his son over the weekend near Morony Dam.

Stoner's wife and son attended Habets' court appearance and say they were shocked when the 30-year old asked for a bond reduction.

The judge denied that reduction, setting Habets' bond at $50,000. If found guilty of the charge, Habets could spend up to 20 years in prison. Habets has one previous assault conviction.

Stoner is now out of the hospital but still recovering; he underwent surgery on Wednesday, and his wife estimates that his medical bills will approach $50,000. Stoner's Co-workers at Big Sky Bus Line are taking donations to help defray his medical expenses.

(July 28, 2010) Cascade County officials announced on Wednesday afternoon that they have arrested Ross Roberts Habets in conection with the beating of Charles Stoner.

Roberts has been charged with felony aggravated assault.

Authorities said that they received a tip about the identity of the suspect through Crime Stoppers.

The Montana Correctional Offender Network lists the 39-year old Habets as having been convicted of felony aggravated assault in Teton County, and failure to register as a violent offender in Cascade County.

Details surrounding the assault have not yet been released.

The Cascade County Sheriff's Office is investigating what appears to be an unprovoked attack on a man who was fishing with his son near Morony Dam on Saturday.

A man approached Charles Stoner and started a conversation, and then attacked Stoner for no apparent reason.

Stoner suffered severe injuries to his head and face and will require reconstructive surgery.

Captain Ray Hitchcock of the Sheriff's office says there were several witnesses to the assault, but they appear to be friends of the suspect and provided misleading information about the name of the suspect.

Hitchcock did say investigators are following leads and hope to have an arrest in a few days.

The suspect is described as approximately 5'8", with a stocky build, brown hair, and a lightning bolt tattoo on his left shoulder.

If you have any information about the incident or the suspect, you are asked to call the Sheriff's office at 454-6848 or the Great Falls Police Department at 771-1180.