Bail at $150,000 in Missoula assault

MISSOULA — A man suspected of assaulting a former Wall Street Journal and Inter Lake reporter, costing him the sight in his left eye, is charged with aggravated assault.

Sean Marceau, 30, was arrested last Thursday at a Missoula motel and made an initial court appearance Friday. Justice of the Peace Karen Orzech set bail at $150,000, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the fact that Marceau had failed to register as a violent offender.

Les Gapay has said he was assaulted by three men in late August in the parking lot of a Walmart in Missoula, where he was staying in his pickup for the night. Gapay says one assailant took his cellphone and hit him in the eye at least five times.

Marceau is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 1.