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Man Charged With Attacking Women in Missoula

William Ashley Sandel II made an initial appearance in Justice Court Thursday

By Justin Franz

A 28-year-old man is charged with two recent attacks against Missoula women.

William Ashley Sandel II made an initial appearance in Justice Court Thursday on charges of felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor counts of attempted sexual assault and sexual assault. He did not enter a plea.

Sandel was arrested Tuesday night after a woman reported a man sneaked up behind her, wrapped his arms around her neck and pulled her to the ground. The woman said she almost blacked out, but was eventually able to get free enough to scream. Several passers-by came to her aid and others held Sandel for police.

On July 5, a woman reported a man grabbed her buttocks while she was walking on a nature trail east of Missoula.

Charging documents say Sandel told investigators both attacks were sexually motivated.