Suspect identified and charges filed on assault with sword

On early Tuesday morning, July 12, 2011, Deputies responded to a rural Beltrami County residence, located in Liberty Township on Jessie Ct NW (approximately 8 miles north of Bemidji), to investigate a complaint of an assault with weapons involved at this home.

Subsequently, Lucas Wayne French, age 28, of Bemidji, was arrested and booked into the Beltrami County Jail. French appeared in court today and has been charged with two felonies: malicious punishment of a child, 4th degree assault of a police officer, as well as a misdemeanor: dangerous weapons, reckless handling. Bail was set at $50,000.00 with conditions. French remains in the Beltrami County Jail.

In addition, French is facing charges of violating his probation due to his involvement in this case and will be appearing in Cass County on that offense in the near future, per the Beltrami County Attorney’s office and the Department of Corrections.