A sex offender at the Minnesota Sex Offender Program in Moose Lake is accused of trying to murder an employee at the facility.

George Mack Jr., 42, was charged with first degree attempted murder - premeditated, and fourth degree assault in Carlton County Sixth District Court today (Thursday, Jan. 31). Bail was set at $500,000. Mack was moved to the Carlton County Jail from MSOP. His next hearing is set for Feb. 20.

According to the criminal complaint:

The victim was leading a large community meeting in an open area of the facility on Unit 1C on Tuesday, Jan. 29. The clients were sitting in a large circle, facing one another.

Mack was not a part of the meeting, but according to the criminal complaint, video footage of the incident shows him walking along the back side of the circle, then lunging at the victim, who was sitting in a chair.

The video footage allegedly shows Mack grab the victim’s head while reaching around his throat with the other hand and making at least two cutting/slashing motions across the front of his throat. The victim was able to avoid serious injury by lowering his chin, jumping out of his chair and running away from Mack, who then allegedly threw his weapon — a razor blade affixed to a toothbrush with dental floss and a rubber band — on the ground and pursued the victim.

According to the criminal complaint, another staff member intercepted Mack, who punched the staff member several times in the chest and head. More staff members came to help subdue and secure Mack.

The victim ended up with a two-inch long gash on his throat and another one-inch long gash on to the left of his throat, and the staff member who came to his aid had “demonstrable” injuries from being punched.

According to the criminal complaint, in a subsequent interview, Mack allegedly stated that he had interacted with the victim the day before and didn’t like his demeanor or that he had said he was going to “change everything on Unit 1C.” He admitted making the weapon and said he grabbed the man’s head and slashed at his throat, later running after him, yelling “I’m the boss.”

The victim confirmed in a separate interview that he could see someone approaching him and identified Mack. He said while Mack was slicing at his throat, he commented: “I’m in charge here” and “you’re my bitch,” before he was able to run away.

According to his criminal records, Mack pleaded guilty to second degree criminal sexual assault in Fillmore County in 1996 when he lived in Stillwater, Minn. He was sentenced to 42 months confinement. In 1998 he was convicted of third and fourth degree sexual assault in Fillmore County and sentenced to 76 months confinement.

Mack’s criminal record shows that he has been convicted of two fourth and one fifth-degree assault charges while at the Moose Lake facility as well as third-degree assault in Stillwater.