DUBUQUE, Iowa — A 26-year-old Dubuque man was arrested Wednesday evening and charged with attempt to commit murder.

John Henry McPoland, white male, age 26, of 3870 Mount Alpine Street, was taken into custody at approximately 7 p.m. on July 29, 2026, near that address. Dubuque police officer C.L. Holmes made the arrest.

Court documents state that McPoland attacked his roommate, Jesse E. Foutch, 43, with a baseball bat inside the residence. Foutch took the bat from McPoland and told him to leave. McPoland then left the home.

Officers found McPoland walking south along Mount Alpine Street. He told police he had attempted to kill his roommate. When asked why, he said he was “just very, very frustrated.”

Documents further state that McPoland told officers he struck Foutch in the head two or three times. He also said he intended to kill both Foutch and a third person living in the home using a bat and a kitchen knife. McPoland reported that he had been hearing the voice of his deceased father for the past week encouraging him to commit violent acts against the people in the residence.

McPoland was charged with attempt to commit murder, a felony. No further public details regarding injuries, bond, or court dates were available at the time of this report.

The case remains under investigation by the Dubuque Police Department. All charges are allegations. McPoland is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.