A 28-year-old Kalispell man appeared in Flathead County District Court Thursday after fleeing the state from assault charges.

Justin Westermeyer pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of assault with a weapon.

According to court documents, Westermeyer posted a property bond for $40,000 and given conditional release. He was given a GPS monitoring device as one of the conditions of release.

He was picked up by law enforcement in May while trying to enter the country through a Seattle port. He came off a commercial fishing ship that traveled from Alaska and through international waters.

A tip led local authorities to identify Westermeyer and verify the arrest warrant, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He was arrested and moved back to Montana.

Westermeyer pleaded not guilty to allegations that he stabbed another man six times following an argument on Feb. 3. Five of the stab wounds were found in the back of a man lying on the ground. Police found a bloody knife near the scene and a witness said Westermeyer stabbed the other man, according to court documents.

Westermeyer wasn’t jailed that night. According to Kalispell Police, there were initial claims of self-defense. By the time the Flathead County Attorney’s Office filed charges, he had fled.

Westermeyer could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. His next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 7.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.