Macomb Co. man accused of raging against Harris-Walz volunteers charged with assault, hate crimes

t. Clair Shores — A 55-year-old man has been charged with multiple counts of felonious assault and hate crimes after Macomb County Prosecutors say he allegedly hurled homophobic slurs before driving his car toward volunteers passing out literature last month for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

Jason Lafond of St. Clair Shores was arraigned late Thursday afternoon in 40th District Court in St. Clair Shores, and was released on personal bond after pleading not guilty to three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and three counts of ethnic intimidation, Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido said Friday.

The latter violates Michigan's hate crime law, which includes sexual orientation.

District Judge Mark Fratarcangeli ordered Lafond to wear a GPS tether and to refrain from contacting the alleged victims, Lucido said. He was also given a $50,000 personal bond.



https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2024/11/01/macomb-co-man-accused-of-raging-against-harris-walz-volunteers-charged-with-assault-hate-crimes/75987595007/