A Saxman man is in custody after an alleged weekend fight over rent.
Alaska State Troopers responded to an assault report just before 9 p.m. Saturday in Saxman, where John James and his roommate allegedly got into a fight over their rent. According to court documents, the two men had been drinking. James allegedly hit his roommate in the head several times before the victim escaped and called the police. James left the scene before troopers arrived, but returned while they were questioning witnesses.
According to trooper reports, James denied the allegations before running into the home and trying to lock troopers out. The officers forced their way into the house and arrested him. James allegedly resisted, even after he was tased by an officer, and had to be physically carried to a police vehicle by three officers. During his resistance, troopers say James kicked an officer in the right hand.
James pleaded not guilty to two charges of assault in the fourth degree and one charge of resisting arrest. Bail was set at $1,000, and James is set to go to trial Oct. 1.
