DUBLIN — Prosecutors here have charged an East Bay BART rider with a hate crime for allegedly brandishing a knife at another person while yelling “go back to your country.”
The alleged remark by Michael Sprague, 45, was apparently motivated by “the victim’s actual characteristics and perceived characteristics with respect to race and ethnicity,” prosecutors said in a news release. The hate crime allegation is an enhancement being tacked on to a brandishing charge.
The news release doesn’t say where the July 10 incident took place, but says Sprague and the victim were waiting for a train when the alleged brandishing occurred. Both charges are misdemeanors, records show.
The charging documents allege Sprague brandished a knife in a “rude, angry or threatening manner.” The arraignment has been set for Tuesday.