MISSOULA — Polson resident, Eugene Eckert, pleaded innocent to the charge of aggravated sexual abuse of a child in a federal court session in Missoula on Friday, March 31.

If convicted of this charge, Eckert may face life in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervision. He is currently detained. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A pre-trial conference and a trial date have yet to be set.