Bismarck Man Held Without Bond Following Stabbing at Farmington Encampment

St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A Bismarck man is being held without bond in the St. Francois County Jail after being charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

The charges stem from a stabbing that occurred on November 15 at a homeless encampment off Maple Street in Farmington. According to a probable cause statement from the Farmington Police Department, officers responded to the scene and found 44-year-old Gene A. Cumberland and the victim inside a tent. Both were unclothed, and the victim was screaming for help, suffering from multiple stab wounds to her abdomen. A bloody knife was recovered from the tent, and the victim was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Medical records confirmed the severity of her injuries, which included multiple puncture wounds. In a statement to police on November 4, the victim said Cumberland stabbed her multiple times while they were inside their shared tent. She indicated she did not know why he attacked her.

A warrant for Cumberland's arrest was issued on November 15, and he was taken into custody the same day. His initial court appearance was held before Judge Joseph Murray on November 19.

The case is being prosecuted by the St. Francois County prosecutor's office.