CAVALIER, N.D. -- A Grand Forks man faces nine charges in Pembina County District Court on accusations he tried to take a deputy’s gun, chased him with a large hunting knife and choked him in Neche, N.D., Sunday, according to court documents.
Clifford Edward Monteith III, 26, was placed in Pembina County custody Monday night, but he hasn’t been booked in the county jail yet, State’s Attorney Ryan Bialas said.
But Monteith was charged Tuesday afternoon with four felonies -- criminal attempted murder, breaking into a vehicle, simple assault and disarming or attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer. He also faces five misdemeanor charges for menacing, physical obstruction of government function, preventing arrest or discharge of other duties, carrying a concealed weapon and criminal mischief.
The complaint filed in court records Tuesday doesn’t give a timeline of how it all happened, but it details the reported scuttle between Monteith and Deputy Brad Bowman shortly after midnight Sunday.
According to the complaint:
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As Bowman performed a welfare check near Fourth Street in Neche, Monteith tried to grab Bowman’s gun from his holster after overpowering the deputy and pinning him on the ground. While Bowman was on the ground, Monteith punched Bowman in the body and face, headbutted Bowman three times and choked the deputy.
Monteith caused Bowman to “fear for his life” when Bowman pleaded with Monteith to stop attacking him and Monteith replied, “No man, I told you” before chasing Bowman with the knife.
When Bowman tried to retreat to the safety his patrol vehicle, Monteith got in the car and grabbed Bowman’s hand with the gun in it.
Bowman tried to use a Taser to stop his attacker, but when that didn’t work, he shot the man three times, according to a press release.
Monteith kicked the car door shut, leaving a dent on the side, and fled from the scene in a Burgundy 2007 Pontiac Torrent south on state Highway 18, the complaint states. The driver of the Pontiac withMonteithhas not been arrested or charged, and the person’s name will not be released until charges are filed, Bialas said.
Bowman, who has been with the department for almost a year, is expected to make a full recovery and return to work, Pembina County Sheriff Terry Meidinger said. He’s been placed on paid administrative leave in the meantime.
Monteith was arrested without a warrant yesterday, but a formal warrant was issued in court records for him Tuesday as he isn’t in Pembina County jail yet.
His first court appearance on the charges has not been scheduled.
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Attempted murder, the most severe charge filed against Monteith, carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and $20,000 fine.
Cass County District Court records show Monteith also faces aggravated assault charges for a 2014 case accusing him of hitting another man in the head with a hammer after the two had a verbal and physical altercation in Fargo.
The records show he posted bail several times, and failed to show up for a May 23 change of plea hearing. His defense attorney in the case has asked to withdraw from representing Monteith, but no decision has been made.
