GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man accused of assaulting someone with a sword and battering a second victim who tried to intervene remains in custody pending felony and misdemeanor charges.
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Michael S. Lynch, 45, of Granite City, was charged on Dec. 29, 2025 with one count each of felon in possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of methamphetamine (both Class 3 felonies), aggravated assault, and battery (both Class A misdemeanors).
On Dec. 26, 2025, Lynch allegedly knowingly possessed a “large metal Samurai-style sword with a black handle,” with the intent to use the sword unlawfully against another individual, according to charging documents. His possession of the weapon was illegal given his prior felony conviction of aggravated fleeing in a prior Madison County case from 2023.
On the same day, Lynch reportedly used the sword to assault one victim, placing them in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery, and punched a second victim multiple times in the face. He was also reportedly in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine at the time of the offense.
A petition to deny Lynch’s pretrial release from custody was filed by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. According to the petition, Lynch approached the first victim with what she described to authorities as a “large metal pole.” Lynch reportedly entered the victim’s car with the object, told her to pull her car into a nearby shed, and threatened that “he was going to kill her,” leading to an argument in which the second victim attempted to intervene before reportedly being battered.
“Officers located a large sword in Michael's car in plain view on the driver's side floorboard of Michael's car,” the petition states. “Officer believed the sword was the metal pole [the first victim] was describing. Michael admitted he knew the sword was in his car and brought it because he was afraid of dogs.”
Upon searching Lynch’s car, officers located a “second, slightly smaller sword wedged between the driver's seat and center console along with a large amount of crystal-like substance on the floorboard of the car” which later tested positive for methamphetamine.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office presented the case against Lynch, who currently remains in custody at the Madison County Jail.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
