In a surprising turn of events, a candidate for the Hennepin County Board in Minnesota has been arrested on assault charges after being accused of throwing a live tarantula at her tenant. Marisa Simonetti, who is currently running for a seat on the county board, spoke to NBC News about the incident, claiming it was a result of her tenant's refusal to vacate her property.

According to Simonetti, she had rented a room in her five-bedroom house to local attorney Jackie Vasquez through Airbnb. However, their relationship quickly turned tumultuous, with Vasquez allegedly sending lengthy and hostile text messages late at night. Simonetti decided to cancel the reservation due to the escalating conflicts.

Simonetti further accused Vasquez of threatening to ruin her campaign and sending threatening messages through her campaign website. The tension reached a boiling point on the day Vasquez was supposed to move out. Simonetti claimed that Vasquez intentionally closed her arm in a door but was not arrested for this incident.

Frustrated by Vasquez's refusal to leave, Simonetti asserted that Vasquez barricaded herself in the basement, making her fear for the safety of herself and her son. Feeling helpless after the police were unable to resolve the situation, Simonetti resorted to unconventional means. She admitted to purchasing the tarantula from a pet store and releasing it near Vasquez, downplaying the action as a non-violent attempt to scare her.

However, Vasquez provided a different account of the encounter to NBC affiliate KARE of Minneapolis, stating that Simonetti threw the tarantula at her along with other items. She described the incident as a terrifying experience.

As a consequence of the altercation, Simonetti was arrested and charged with 5th-degree assault and misdemeanor domestic assault, citing fear of bodily harm. She was released on her own recognizance the following Monday. Upon returning home, Simonetti discovered that Vasquez had already vacated the property.

This incident follows a previous legal trouble for Simonetti, including allegations of credit card fraud, which saw her accused of accumulating an $80,000 bill on her ex-fiancé's card. The charges were dropped after reaching a settlement in court. Additionally, Simonetti and an ex-boyfriend currently have restraining orders against each other due to allegations of stalking and assault.

Regarding the tarantula, Simonetti expressed humor over its whereabouts, stating, "I hope he found a good snack and a nice warm bed."

The Hennepin County Board candidate's arrest and the bizarre circumstances leading up to it have undoubtedly raised eyebrows within the community, potentially impacting Simonetti's campaign as she vies for a seat on the board.