A Ronan man is accused of entering another man’s residence and physically assaulting him.

Daniel James O’Roake, 38, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court Sept. 9 to aggravated burglary. If convicted, the charge carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.

According to court records, around 10 p.m. Aug 25, O’Roake entered a residence on First Street North in Pablo without permission and began punching a male occupant with his closed fists. Responding law enforcement officers observed wounds on the victim, such as a bloody lip, a cut next to his ear and a cut on his hand.

He and a female occupant of the residence, who witnessed the incident, identified O’Roake as the suspect. The woman indicated that she had recently ended a relationship with O’Roake.

When questioned about the incident, O’Roake claimed it was a “crime of passion.”

Judge Molly Owen set the case for trial on March 1. O’Roake remains at liberty.