Second Man Arrested In Bacon Assault Case

A second man has been arrested in a case in which bacon was placed around a bound man in an effort to attract wild animals to kill him, law enforcement officers said Thursday.

Randall Gene Thomas, 35, was arrested Wednesday on several felony warrants alleging assault with a deadly weapon, Stevens County Sheriff Craig Thayer said.

Earlier this month, James L. Peterson, 39, was stretched across a rural road by two assailants. His feet were tied to one tree, his hands to another, court documents said.

Thomas is accused of scattering bacon around Peterson in the hope that hungry wolves or bears would be attracted and would eat him, Stevens County Deputy Prosecutor David Soukup has said.

Peterson managed to untie himself a few minutes after his assailants left and walked to a nearby house.

Defendant Tracy S. Walter, 34, was arrested shortly after the incident. He is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and robbery.

Peterson told deputies he was driving with Walter, Thomas and a 16-year-old girl when they went to an isolated spot near Loon Lake in the early morning hours of Feb. 1.

Peterson contended Walter first tried to shoot him in the back, but the handgun would not fire, court documents said.

No motive was offered for the alleged attack. But Soukup said investigators believe Walter blamed Peterson for a Jan. 24 arrest for unlawful possession of a firearm.