A man was charged Monday with domestic assault for picking up a vacuum cleaner and threatening his wife with it. The man's wife, charging documents state, also was charged when police learned she had threatened him with a knife earlier in the day.

Buddy Alan Bunton, 47, was charged with two counts of partner family member assault, both felonies. If convicted, Bunton could face a total 10 years in state prison and owe a $100,000 fine.

Great Falls police responded to a home Sunday around 6 p.m. on Great Falls' northside, where the victim, Chana Bunton, said her husband, Buddy Bunton, had threatened to assault her earlier that night.

Chana had just arrived home earlier that day with her son when Bunton approached her and began yelling expletives at her, according to court documents. Rather than engaging, "she made herself a plate of food, and then sat down on the couch." At this point, charging documents allege Bunton came over, picked up the vacuum cleaner and threatened to assault her with it.

Court documents state Bunton has been charged twice with assaulting her in the past, and that he is larger than the woman.

After the alleged vacuum cleaner threat, Bunton allegedly kicked an ottoman into Chana's leg, causing a small red mark later noted by police.

The Buntons' son told police he also saw the incident, including Bunton, the boy's father, pick up the vacuum cleaner and threaten to assault his mother with it while she was eating dinner. He also saw Bunton kick the ottoman, he told police, although he did not see it strike his mother's leg.

Bunton reportedly denied making any threats, but admitted to kicking the ottoman, according to court documents. He also said he did not know the ottoman struck his wife's leg.

According to court documents, officers also learned Chana Bunton had threatened her husband with a knife earlier in the day, so they arrested her for partner family assault as well.

Bunton has reportedly been convicted twice of partner assault, once in April 2000 and again in October 2006.

Prosecutors requested his bail be set at $10,000.