ELY – A Grand Rapids resident and an Ely man face felony charges in connection with two separate incidents here last week including kidnapping and pulling a gun in a local tavern.
Austin James Swanson, 27, of Grand Rapids, is charged with kidnapping, third degree assault, and making threats of violence against a local man in connection with an incident earlier this month.
According to a criminal complaint released by the Ely Police Department, Swanson forced an adult female to get into a vehicle driven by his mother and allegedly took her to a residence in nearby Winton where he beat her, causing injuries. Swanson allegedly “punched the female in the face, choked her and repeatedly banged her head against the wall and the toilet, causing her to temporarily lose consciousness.”
The criminal complaint said she told officers she feared for her life and allegedly stabbed Swanson in the stomach.
Police were called to an Ely residence on Monday, June 6 to investigate the reported assault from the prior evening. Officers were told that Swanson and the adult female, who were in a “significant romantic relationship,” got into verbal argument.
Following the attack, the adult female was allegedly taken by Swanson’s mother to Swanson’s brother’s house. Police observed and photographed numerous injuries on the female. Police also observed text messages sent after the alleged assault by Swanson to the female: “Should really call me. Trust me, ignoring my call is gonna completely ruin your life.”
Swanson faces maximum penalties of 20 years on the kidnapping charge, five years on the third-degree assault charge, five years on the threats of violence charge, and one year on a gross misdemeanor domestic assault charge.
Swanson has prior convictions for second degree assault and felony witness tampering from 2016.
Gun incident
Kenneth Shaquille Armant, 28, faces three felony charges after he allegedly pulled out a gun at Dee’s Bar in Ely after becoming upset with a person he was playing pool with on Tuesday, June 7.
According to the criminal complaint released by the Ely Police Department, witnesses said Armant became upset with a person he was playing pool with and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a pistol and waved it at the pool opponent and in the direction of others at the bar.
When police and a St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputy arrived at the bar, Armant had fled the premises. According to the complaint, police saw Armant nearby on the street, but he ran away.
The next day, after police made contact with the suspect by telephone, Armant came to the Ely Police Department to talk with officers. The complaint said Armant admitted carrying a “BB gun” the night before and that he was “scared for his life.” He declined to give police any other information and was arrested.
The felony second- degree assault charge carries a maximum penalty of one to seven years in prison. The felony threats of violence charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each charge.