Dixon woman accused of assaulting witness

A Dixon woman is accused of assaulting a potential witness in a Lake County rape case. 

Sunny Michelle Charlo, 44, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson Oct. 23 to felony charges of assault with a weapon and tampering with witnesses. The charges carry a combined maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

According to charging documents, on April 18, a woman contacted law enforcement to report that Charlo hit her on the arm with a hammer. At the scene, the responding deputy located a hammer that had possibly been used in the alleged attack.

The woman indicated that Charlo was upset that her brother, Michael Charlo, 62, was charged with sexual intercourse without consent. She allegedly told the mother to have her daughter, the rape victim, drop the charges. Charlo was no longer at the scene when the officer arrived, and a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Judge Molly Owen set the case for trial on March 31. Charlo’s bail is set at $5,000.