Rape suspect was free on bail in stalking case

Published 10:12 am Thursday, October 7, 2010

DULUTH — A Duluth man allegedly beat and raped a woman while on bail in a stalking case.

Michael Arnold was charged in April with six counts of harassment or stalking by following or pursuing in relation to six female joggers and walkers near the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

The Duluth News Tribune reported the 26-year-old was jailed for almost two months before posting the $30,000 bail through a bail bonding company June 19. A plea hearing in that case and two theft cases is set for Nov. 1.

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Then on Saturday, he’s accused of doing a drug transaction with a 21-year-old Iron Range woman and then dragging her by the ankle into a St. Louis county field. A criminal complaint says he punched, kicked and strangled her and sexually assaulted her.