Fort Drum soldier cleared of two Tupper Lake stabbings

A Fort Drum soldier was cleared of charges that he stabbed two women after clashing with a mob in May at a bar near Tupper Lake.

A Franklin County grand jury cleared Jason A. Jauron, 30, a squad leader in the infantry of the 10th Mountain Division, of two counts of second-degree assault in the two stabbings May 29. The grand jury agreed on the no-bill findings against the soldier, citing that he believed he was in imminent danger, according to the Plattsburgh Press-Republican.

However, the grand jury indicted Mr. Jauron on fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon for allegedly having a 6-inch switchblade in the Memorial Day weekend melee, the Franklin County district attorney’s office told the Press-Republican.

Bethany Carmichael, 22, Tupper Lake, suffered wounds to her upper thigh, arm and stomach. The other woman, Sarah Poirier, 25, Tupper Lake, was stabbed in the left armpit.

The fight occurred about 2:30 a.m. on Cliff Avenue near the Old Northern Pub, where a large group of extremely intoxicated people had gathered, according to police.

Three other people — William LeBlanc, 62, Tupper Lake; Curtis J. Eggsware, 23, Piercefield, and Robert W. Charland, 34, Tupper Lake — were indicted on second-degree gang assault and other assorted charges related to the fight and attack on the soldier.

They allegedly kicked and punched Mr. Jauron after he was handcuffed and in police custody, the district attorney’s office said.

The mob continued to try to get at him, reportedly by rocking the patrol car in an effort to tip it over.