A Libby man is accused of attacking a person with pepper spray last month after allegedly harassing a transgender cashier at a local business.

Brandon Warring Ludwick, 51, faces assault with a weapon and disorderly conduct charges in Lincoln County District Court. Ludwick, who posted $50,000 bail on Jan. 2, was scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 27.

According to charging documents, Libby Police officer Donald Luthey was on patrol at about 4:36 p.m., Dec. 23 when he heard Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Sgt. James Derryberry get dispatched to a store on U.S. 2 for a disturbance. Luthey and fellow Libby Police officer Caleb Thomas responded to the scene and saw Ludwick and another man standing in the front parking lot. Luthey said both men appeared to be arguing.

After officers separated the men, Luthey spoke to two witnesses, one a customer and the other an assistant store manager.

The customer was in the check-out line and said she saw Ludwick display an attitude, throw things around and make comments about the cashier taking too long. She said Ludwick remained belligerent when he reached the cashier. Ludwick allegedly referred to the cashier as an it, saying he did not know what "it is."

The cashier left to get the assistant manager. In the meantime another man, related to the cashier, confronted Ludwick, court documents said. He told Ludwick he needed to stop and be careful choosing his next words.

The store's assistant manager told authorities that they spoke with Ludwick as well. Ludwick allegedly told the assistant manager that he didn’t have a problem with the cashier, “he, she, it or whatever.” The manager told Ludwick to leave. He insisted upon finishing his transaction, court documents said. 

The assistant manager refused to complete the purchase and again told Ludwick to leave, court documents alleged. They told authorities that Ludwick continued making comments about the cashier as he left with the cashier's relative following behind, yelling at him. 

Ludwick allegedly pulled out a can of pepper spray while the cashier's relative backed away and told him not to spray him. A witness said they saw Ludwick spray the man in the face.

A man approached investigators as they discussed the alleged assault. He told the officers he was in a nearby gas station before going to the store. He said Ludwick intentionally “shoulder checked” him as they walked past each other, according to court documents. He said he believed Ludwick was, “looking for a fight.”

The officers then approached Ludwick, who remained in the lot filming the investigation, court documents said. When the officers handcuffed Ludwick, they reported he was verbally aggressive and threatened to sue them. He also allegedly said the officers needed to hit him and punch him in the face.

Luthey also wrote in his report that Ludwick made several negative comments about the cashier and his relative being Mexican.

Court records indicate Ludwick was charged with third degree assault in 2015 in Denver.