Michigan man charged with hate crime over vandalizing Catholic church and assaulting priest, parishioners

A 33-year-old Michigan man has been charged with a hate crime after allegedly vandalizing a Catholic church during a baptism and assaulting the parish priest May 4.

Local outlet Times Herald reported that Robert Beaton vandalized St. Christopher Catholic Church in Marysville by throwing a rock through a window from the outside. When the pastor, Fr. James Arwady, went outside to confront Beaton, he allegedly was assaulted. Times Herald also reported that according to a probable cause affidavit, Beaton made derogatory statements about the Catholic Church during the incident.

Times Herald reported that the affidavit states that Beaton “committed a hate crime by using force and violence against the victim, who was wearing priest attire, and damaged church property.”

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