The pair who assaulted U.S. Sen. Carl Levin last August have been charged and are looking at up to eight years in prison.
The assault on Levin occurred on Aug. 16 at Pepper’s Café in downtown Big Rapids.
Big Rapids DPS were called out to the scene when the incident took place. Director of Big Rapids DPS Frank West said the case in question was turned over to the federal government.
Pepper’s employees who were present at the time of the incident could not be reached for comment as of press time.
Ahlam Mohsen and Max Kantar were charged on Dec. 30 for assault; both face first and second count charges. The case became a federal investigation a week after Mohsen was released from jail on a $50,000 bond and Kantar was released on a $10,000 bond.
Levin was in Big Rapids for a Mecosta County Democratic Party meeting when Mohsen and Kantar assaulted him. Kantar, a former FSU student, read a statement criticizing Levin’s views on foreign policies while Mohsen shoved an apple pie into Levin’s face.
After the incident, Kantar and Mohsen fled the scene. Mohsen was soon apprehended after the occurrence and Kantar turned himself in on Aug. 18.
The first count of assault alleges the pair forcibly assaulted Levin, which is a felony and could lead up to eight years in prison. The second account is a misdemeanor assault charge, which could lead to a sentence of one year in jail.
In a statement given by United States Attorney Donald A. Davis to the Big Rapids Pioneer, Davis said, “My office will vigorously enforce the laws that ensure the leaders we freely choose in open elections can meet with their constituents to exchange views without fear of assault or physical reprisal.”
Kantar and Mohsen also had stalking charges against them from January 2009. They were arrested after an anti-war protest outside of Sen. Levin’s office in Lansing. n