A Franklin man was arrested last week after allegedly threatening passing motorists, becoming combative with law enforcement, and flinging dog feces on a deputy.
The Izard County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man as 47-year-old Brian Joseph Parenteau, who is being held at the Izard County Detention Center. According to a probable cause affidavit, deputies were dispatched after reports of a man acting disorderly and making threats near the city park in Franklin.
Law enforcement first spoke with two witnesses, one of whom alleged that Parenteau had been using profanity, making threatening gestures, and shouting at vehicles on the highway. The man said he was prepared for a physical altercation if necessary and provided video evidence that reportedly supported the claim. A second witness corroborated the story and shared footage of Parenteau engaged in a separate argument with a resident several months earlier.
Deputies and an investigator then went to Parenteau’s nearby residence. Parenteau reportedly admitted to yelling at people, citing issues with managing his medication as a contributing factor. During the discussion, Parenteau agreed to step outside and talk with officers but insisted on lying in the grass.
Law enforcement offered the option of going to the hospital to address his medication concerns, but Parenteau became agitated and began shouting aggressively. When officers attempted to detain him for safety reasons, he resisted and allegedly kicked one of the deputies.
Authorities eventually restrained Parenteau in handcuffs, at which point he reportedly claimed he could not breathe. When officers adjusted his position to address his complaint, Parenteau allegedly spat in an officer’s face, getting saliva into the investigator's eyes and mouth. Officers then placed him on his stomach and attempted to apply leg restraints.
While waiting for the restraints, Parenteau reportedly began yelling again and claimed he was having difficulty breathing. As the investigator repositioned him in a recovery posture, Parenteau allegedly used his foot to fling dog feces onto the deputy’s arm and uniform. He then smeared the feces further onto the officer’s skin and clothing, according to the affidavit.
Parenteau was eventually transported to the Izard County Jail. The investigator sought preventive medical treatment at a hospital in Calico Rock.
Parenteau faces two felony charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. He has also been charged with misdemeanors for resisting arrest, third-degree battery, second-degree terroristic threatening, and disorderly conduct. His bond has been set at $20,000.