Brian Joseph Parenteau, 47, of Franklin, is being held in the Izard County Detention Center following an incident near Franklin City Park that led to allegations of threatening passing motorists and assaulting law enforcement.
According to the Izard County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to reports of a man behaving erratically near the park. A motorist informed officers that the individual, identified as Parenteau, was directing obscene gestures at vehicles, making threatening comments, and yelling profanities. Video evidence was reportedly provided to corroborate the motorist's account.
When officers arrived at Parenteau’s home to investigate, he admitted to "a lack of judgment" and yelling at people. He agreed to speak with deputies outside, on the condition that he be allowed to lie in the grass. During the conversation, officers offered Parenteau assistance in seeking medical help to manage his medications, but he reportedly became agitated and began screaming. Deputies decided to detain him for safety reasons, at which point Parenteau became combative, officials said.
While being handcuffed, Parenteau allegedly began kicking officers, prompting them to place him in leg restraints. When officers sat him up to facilitate his breathing after he said he could not breathe, he reportedly spat at them. Later, while seated in restraints, Parenteau is alleged to have used his foot to fling dog feces at an officer.
The deputies eventually transported Parenteau to the Izard County Detention Center. One officer required medical treatment at a hospital in Calico Rock following the incident.
Parenteau now faces two felony charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, in addition to misdemeanor charges including resisting arrest, third-degree battery, second-degree terroristic threatening, and disorderly conduct. His bond has been set at $20,000.