A Polson man is accused of pointing an assault rifle at a group of people near the Polson Skate Park.

Anthony Joseph Erickson, 20, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court on Sept. 3 to two counts of felony assault with a weapon. He also pled not guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief.

According to charging documents, Erickson allegedly confronted occupants of another vehicle on July 21 while pointing an AR-15-style rifle at them. He also allegedly reached inside the vehicle and broke the shifting column lever.

Multiple witnesses provided statements to responding law enforcement and provided a description of Erickson. He was later located and questioned by investigators.

He initially denied pointing a rifle at the vehicle occupants. A rifle matching the description was located in his car and, according to court records, he admitted he confronted the others because they called his pregnant girlfriend “fat.”

Judge John A. Mercer set the case for trial on Jan. 11. Erickson remains at liberty on his own recognizance.