Police arrested a 48-year-old Fargo man Saturday in Fargo after a tipster told them the man had offered to pay her if she changed her statement to police to clear the man's son on an assault charge.
Johnny Frank Logan Jr., 1521 27th Ave. S., was arrested on suspicion of tampering with a witness, a Class C felony that Sgt. Mark Lykken said is rarely charged out.
"This may be the first time I've heard of it," Lykken said. "I imagine it goes on, but most times, it's not reported."
A felony count of witness-tampering was filed in Cass County District Court on Monday, accusing Logan of offering money to a woman who his son, Johnny Frank Logan III, is accused of beating in a Nov. 7 incident that drew a felony charge of aggravated assault as domestic violence.
The elder Logan wanted the woman to change her statement, according to the court complaint. Instead, she called police.
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The 48-year-old also faces charges of promoting prostitution and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, both felonies.
Police set up a sting in which they allege Logan provided an undercover officer with a prostitute. An officer met with a woman at a local hotel and reached an agreement for sexual acts to be performed for money, Lykken said.
Those acts weren't performed, he said. Tiffany Paige Noheart, 21, of Fargo, was arrested on suspicion of a misdemeanor charge of prostitution.
In court records, authorities claim Logan offered to split three ways a $300 fee that was to be paid to the woman he'd arranged to have sex for money. Logan, the witness he's accused of trying to bribe and Noheart would each get a share, according to a police report filed with the charges.
Lykken said promoting prostitution is also a little-used charge, far rarer than prostitution itself.
"It's harder to find the source," he said.
As Class C felonies, both promoting prostitution and witness tampering can mean up to five years in prison upon conviction.
After arresting Logan, police say they found four baggies of marijuana in his possession, which drew the intent to deliver charge - a Class B felony carrying up to 10 years in prison.
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In an initial appearance in court Monday, bail was set at $10,000 for Logan, who is being held in the Cass County Jail.
A phone message left for Logan at the jail wasn't returned.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Roepke at (701) 241-5535
