TUSCUMBIA — A Colbert County man is charged with assault after authorities said he attacked another man who was trying to collect a debt.

Herbert Bud Powell 30, 1530 Cane Creek Road, Cherokee, is charged with second-degree assault, Colbert County Sheriff Ronnie May said Wednesday.

May said Powell is accused of stabbing a 33-year-old Florence man in the stomach Dec. 26.

The Florence man was reportedly at Powell’s residence with others when the stabbing occurred.

Investigators said alcohol was involved and could have contributed to the assault.

“Apparently, they were all at Powell’s house and he got mad when the (Florence man) asked him for $20 that (Powell) owed him,” May said.

Authorities said when Powell hit the man in the face, the man ran outside and Powell followed.

“There apparently was more arguing and a fight started outside the residence,” May said. “During the fight, Powell stabbed the victim in the abdomen.”

Witnesses at the residence confirmed that Powell got angry when the victim asked him for the money he was owed.

After being stabbed, the man went to the Barton Station convenience store on U.S. 72 and called 911, officials said. He was taken to Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield, where he had surgery and was later released.

Powell is being held in the Colbert County Jail on bail totaling $15,000.

Second-degree assault is a Class C felony, punishable by 1-10 years in prison.

“All of that over $20,” May said.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.