Oct. 23—GRAND FORKS — A Crookston man allegedly involved in a Sept. 20 protest at the Grand Forks County Correctional Center waived his preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty on Monday, Oct. 23.
On Sept. 22, 18-year-old Cameron Michael Lafriniere was charged with Class C felony simple assault of an officer and Class A misdemeanor physical obstruction of a government function.
Since then, a motion was filed to add three additional charges: Class C felony inciting or leading a riot, Class C felony terrorizing and Class B misdemeanor criminal mischief. The motion was approved during Monday’s hearing. Each Class C felony charge has a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
Members of local law enforcement were dispatched to the correctional center at 11:28 p.m. on Sept. 20. Before arriving, correctional staff advised law enforcement that Pod 3A inmates barricaded the doors and armed themselves with weapons made from mop and broom handles, according to an affidavit in the case.
Inmates are also accused of flooding the unit and breaking cell door windows.
Law enforcement arrived and entered the unit. A sheriff’s deputy attempted to secure Lafriniere, who turned around and struck the deputy with his knee, the affidavit said.
Lafriniere has been appointed a public defender to represent him in this case. His bond was set at $10,000 cash or surety, and he remains in custody.
Waiving his preliminary hearing, Lafriniere pleaded not guilty to the new and existing charges. A final dispositional conference is scheduled for Jan. 4.