A man enraged after receiving a compliment on his mowing job on family property near Kalispell earlier this month allegedly rammed his brother with a side-by-side.  

Timothy James Sonstelie, 62, of Washington faces a felony count of assault with a weapon in Flathead County District Court for the alleged June 6 attack. Initially held in the county jail with bail set at $75,000, he was released on June 11.  

Sonstelie's arraignment before Judge Danni Coffman is set for June 30.  

Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived at the family property off Sonstelie Road about 5:54 p.m. to find the victim appearing pained and holding his side, court documents said. He told the authorities his brother had come home to see their ailing father. 

That day, the brother had gone out to cut some high grass and Sonstelie, though banned by the pair's father from driving equipment on the property, was asked to mow with the brush hog. He finished the job and was washing off the brush hog with a hose when his brother pulled up on a side-by-side, according to court documents.  

Hopping off, the brother complimented Sonstelie on his good work. A suddenly enraged Sonstelie allegedly commandeered the side-by-side and rammed his brother, pinning him against the brush hog.  

Sonstelie, the brother later told investigators, had "fire in his eyes," according to court documents.  

Eventually, the brother — who was clutching his small dog during the confrontation — squeezed out and escaped, court documents said. 

Deputies reported seeing a long, though slight, red mark on the brother's side, according to court documents.  

If convicted, Sonstelie faces up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine.   

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].