Grand Forks man in court after alleged assault and arson incident – InForum

GRAND FORKS – A Grand Forks man is facing five felony charges,

accused of beating his girlfriend and setting the house on fire

with children in it.

James Laducer, 36, made his initial appearance in Grand Forks County Court on Friday, October 25.

“If you meet the financial guidelines, you will have an attorney appointed to represent you,” Judge Jay Knudson said.

“Okay, yes sir. But not guilty,” Laducer said.

“Well, we’re not there yet,” Knudson replied.

Laducer is accused of beating his girlfriend and then setting a house on fire. The friend told WDAY News she was punched, kicked in the face and neck and forced down a flight of stairs.

Laducer allegedly set the house on fire by lighting a cardboard box. His girlfriend and her 7-year-old twins were in the house at the time. All three managed to escape.

Laducer faces multiple charges: one charge of domestic violence, one charge of avoiding arrest, three charges of endangering his girlfriend, three charges of endangering his girlfriend, and one charge each of the twins were in the house at that time.

This is not the first time Laducer has been accused of endangerment by fire or explosion.

Laducer’s criminal record shows a long list of charges spanning several North Dakota counties, including for an incident in Rolette County where Laducer disabled smoke detectors and started a fire in an apartment building. He pleaded guilty to that charge.

Laducer’s criminal history led the state to request a $100,000 bond. Knudson granted the request.

Laducer’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 2.

Endangering by fire is a class B misdemeanor.

If convicted of this charge, Laducer faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

A GoFundMe is being set up

for the victim who says the fire left her and her 7-year-old twins homeless, with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

They want to raise money to buy essentials such as clothes and hygiene products, and to help them get into a hotel until they find a new place to live.

Mike McGurran has been a reporter and anchor at WDAY-TV since 2021.