Montana man charged with felony for alleged hate-motivated assault

Jaxton Tayte Collins, a 21-year-old man, has been charged with a felony following an incident in downtown Helena, Montana. According to court documents, Collins allegedly shoved a man of Indian descent and told him to “go back to his country.”

The victim, who wears a head covering, was walking with friends when the encounter occurred. Witnesses described the incident as a “frightening” attack. While Collins admitted to officers that he shouted at the victim because he was angry after drinking at a local bar, he denied shoving the man.

Collins was arraigned in Lewis and Clark County District Court on one count of misdemeanor assault and one felony charge of malicious intimidation or harassment. Under Montana law, malicious intimidation involves intent to terrify, intimidate, or offend based on factors such as race, religion, or national origin. If convicted of the felony charge, Collins faces up to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $5,000.