More than a year after the incident, Booker has been charged with misdemeanor trespass and felony battery for the incident. Jerry Cox II was charged with two misdemeanors, felony criminal confinement and battery resulting in moderate bodily injury. Sean Purdy faces charges of felony criminal confinement, battery resulting in moderate bodily injury and intimidation. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources recommended charges for everyone involved, but only two men were charged. RELATED: Michigan Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Hate Crime Against Black Teen
SONIA LEERKAMP UPDATE
Days after the incident, a spokesperson for the FBI said the Bureau would investigate, but no further update has been provided from the agency. The incident gained national attention with the cellphone video being shared more than 239,000 times on Booker’s Facebook page. Booker also alleges one of the men wore a hat with a Confederate flag and the group spoke about “white power.”
He said he called 911 after five men assaulted him, pinned him to a tree while threatening to break his arms and get a noose. The charges come more than one year after the incident took place, the Associated Press reported. Vauhxx Booker, a civil rights activist and member of the Monro County Human Rights Commission, was involved in the incident on July 4, 2020. WARNING – This story contains details that some may find distressing.Ī Black man who said he was assaulted by a group of white men who threatened to get a “noose” at Lake Monroe in Indiana is now facing criminal charges related to the same incident.