A 26-year-old man from Fort Worth,Texas,has been charged with hate crimes for allegedly attacking two same-sex couples at the MGM Grand Detroit hotel and casino. The incident occurred on July 13, around 1 a.m., in the hotel’s valet area.
William James Wilson faces charges including assault with intent to do great bodily harm and aggravated assault for the alleged beating of one woman and her spouse.He also faces two counts of assault and battery for allegedly attacking the male couple.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office stated that Wilson is also charged with four hate crimes, stemming from allegations that his actions were motivated by the couples’ perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. If convicted,each hate crime count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Wilson has been released on a $100,000 bond, and a probable cause conference is scheduled for July 24. The Detroit Police department is handling inquiries regarding the case, as MGM directed them to do so.