By: Alyssa Ochss | St. Clair Shores Sentinel | Published November 9, 2024
ST. CLAIR SHORES — According to a press release sent by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, a 55-year-old man has been arraigned for alleged assault and hate crimes against volunteers handing out political campaign materials.
According to the release, on Oct. 12, Jason Lynch Lafond visited the tent at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Walter F. Bruce Post #1146 on Jefferson Avenue in search of Donald Trump campaign material. A volunteer reportedly explained that day the tent was handing out campaign material for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
“Lafond allegedly shouted derogatory slurs, including ones targeting sexual orientation,” the release stated. “He further said that when Trump wins, he will ‘exterminate’ people like them.”
The release went on to say that Lafond returned to his vehicle and accelerated toward the volunteers, many of whom had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. Lafond allegedly then fled the scene.
The St. Clair Shores Police Department conducted a thorough investigation, according to the release, and Lafond was identified. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s office charged him with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, a four-year felony, and three counts of ethnic intimidation, a two-year felony.
The release stated that an ethnic intimidation charge must prove three key elements beyond a reasonable doubt in order to get a conviction.
“First, the defendant must have either threatened physical harm to the victim or threatened to damage the victim’s property in a way that appeared credible,” the release stated. “Second, the defendant’s actions must have lacked any justifiable reason. Finally, prosecutors must show that the defendant acted out of bias, targeting the victim specifically because of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or nationality.”
On Oct. 31, Lafond was arraigned in the 40th District Court in St. Clair Shores where Judge Mark Fratarcangeli set a $50,000 personal bond. According to the release, Lafond cannot contact any of the victims or witnesses and must wear a GPS tether. Lafond’s Nov. 8 hearing was adjourned for examination with a court date set for 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 19 in front of Judge Joseph Oster.
“This alleged assault was not just an assault on the victims. It was an assault on the rights of the victims to express themselves freely and safely, and impacts our entire community. Acts of violence, assaults or harassment based on someone’s identity have no place here. It threatens our Democracy and the exercise of free speech in a fair and secure election,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in the press release.
Lafond’s attorney, Joseph Arnone, said he had no comment at this time stating they’re still conducting their investigation.