MONROE, Mich. — A Michigan man is being charged with a hate crime for attacking a Black teenager, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday.
Lee Mouat, 42, allegedly confronted a group of Black teenagers, including the victim, at a state park in Monroe, according to an affidavit.
Mouat repeatedly used racial slurs and said African Americans had no right to use the public beach where the incident occurred.
He then hit one of the teens in the face with a bike lock, knocking out several of the victim’s teeth and fracturing his jaw, officials said.
If convicted, Mouat faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.