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

GRAND FORKS – A Grand Forks man is facing five felony charges: He allegedly beat his girlfriend and then set the house on fire with children inside.

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

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

“OK, yes, sir. Not guilty, though,” 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 setting fire to a cardboard box. His girlfriend and her seven-year-old twins were in the house at the time. All three managed to escape.

Laducer is charged with multiple felonies: one count of domestic violence, one count of hindering apprehension, three counts of endangering his girlfriend by fire or explosion, and one count of endangering his girlfriend and one count of each of the twins who were in the house at the time had stopped.

This isn't the first time Laducer has been charged with endangerment by fire or explosion.

Laducer's criminal record includes a long list of charges spanning several North Dakota counties, including an incident in Rolette County in which Laducer disabled smoke detectors and started a fire in a residence. He pleaded guilty to this charge.

Laducer's past criminal record led the state to require bail of $100,000. Knudson granted the request.

Laducer's next court date is scheduled for December 2nd.

The arson charge is a Class B felony.

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

A GoFundMe has been 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 like clothing and toiletries and help get them into a hotel until they find a new place to live.

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