A Whitefish man has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of assault with a weapon after allegedly beating a man with a set of brass knuckles.

Joseph Alfred Edward Lytell Torres, 24, entered the plea Thursday in Flathead District Court.

According to a court document, a Whitefish police officer responded to the back of the Remington Bar on Jan. 25 after receiving a report of two people fighting. The officer said that as he approached, he could see Torres standing over the victim — who was on his hands and knees — punching him in the back of the head.

The officer broke up the fight and the victim was transported to North Valley Hospital for treatment of head wounds.

After seeing the victim, a nurse at the hospital asked whether brass knuckles had been used. The officer then checked the video from when he pulled up to the fight, and reportedly saw Torres on the video throwing a shiny object between two garbage containers.

The officer returned to the area and found a set of brass knuckles with blood on them, which he seized as evidence.

Torres faces up to 20 years in the Montana State Prison and a fine of up to $50,000 if he is convicted.

He originally was incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center on a bond of $30,000, but that was later reduced to $10,000, which he posted. He has since been taken back into custody pending a March 6 hearing on a petition to revoke his bond.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at [email protected].