Montana man charged after allegedly shoving Indian man, telling him to 'go back to his country'

Jaxton Tayte Collins has been charged with one felony count of malicious intimidation or harassment of civil or human rights and one misdemeanor count of assault one felony count of malicious intimidation or harassment of civil or human rights and one misdemeanor count of assault, per the Billings Gazette. He was arraigned on Tuesday in the Lewis and Clark County District Court, where not guilty pleas were entered.

Charging documents obtained by the outlet stated that Helena police officers responded to a report of an assault at the Walking Mall at around 7 pm on August 7.

The complainant said that he had been walking with his friends when a man wearing an orange shirt and cross necklace approached the complainant’s friend, who is of Indian descent and wears a head covering. The man, identified as Collins, allegedly shoved the friend with both hands and told him “told him to go back to his country,” court documents stated.

Witnesses described the incident to police as an “attack,” and said the incident was “frightening.”

Collins was located by police nearby when they arrived. He said that he had been drinking at a downtown bar and admitted to shouting at the victim “to go back to his own country because he was angry.” He has denied shoving the victim.

Collins is scheduled to appear in court next on April 8. He faces up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted.