Lee James Mouat of Michigan was arrested after he allegedly struck an unnamed Black teenager with a bike lock as he yelled, "Black lives don't matter." The incident left the teenager without a few of his teeth and fractured his jaw. The 42-year-old man is facing one count of willfully causing bodily injury to the victim because of his race.
The incident in question took place on June 6 when the teen and his friends traveled to William C. Sterling State Park in Monroe, Michigan. While there, Mouat allegedly approached the teens while hurling racial slurs at the group.
"Ni**ers don't belong on this beach," Mouat yelled, according to the victim.
Witnesses also said that Mouat told the teens that they were playing "gang music" and disrupting the area.
"I'll bash their heads in if they don't turn [their music] down," Mouat said, according to the the affidavit.
Just before he allegedly struck the teen with a bike lock, witnesses said Mouat yelled, "Black lives don't matter."
Mouat was arrested in connection to the incident in June. However, his alleged crimes are just now being upgraded to hate crimes. His attorney, Alec Chabalowski, has declined to comment on the recent news. If convicted, the 42-year-old will face a maximum of 10 years in prison. According to Sgt. Chad Cupp of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Mouat is being held in custody on a $100,000 bond.
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