A Charlo man is accused of breaking into a woman’s home and threatening her with a knife. Anthony Allen Brooks, 35, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court on Sept. 23 to felony charges of aggravated burglary and assault with a weapon.

According to court records, on Aug. 25, a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a report of a burglary. A woman at the scene told the deputy that she and her cousin were asleep when she was awakened by Brooks, who she said was holding a large kitchen knife.

She told the officer she screamed for Brooks to get out. Brooks allegedly told the woman she had set him up “to be killed, and they would pay for it” before leaving. 

The woman said she feared for herself and her children, who were sleeping in another room.

The charging documents make no mention of a motive for the intrusion.

Judge Molly Owen set the case for trial on March 1. Brooks made his appearance via Zoom from the Missoula County Detention Facility, where he is facing other unrelated charges.