Dane County authorities say a man claiming to be a sheriff’s deputy and immigration officer assaulted a Latino man in Marshall in January, leading to three hate crime charges.
A criminal complaint says Jon Holte, 59, was intoxicated when he put a “Dane County Special Deputy” badge on his belt and knocked on the door of a home in Marshall where several Latino people live in the early afternoon of January 30. According to the complaint, he pushed past the man who answered the door and announced he was with “immigration” and “I’m here because of all the illegals living here.”
The man who lived there, identified in the complaint only as MGM, says he fell and injured his back when Holte pushed into the home.
When MGM threatened to call the police, he alleges Holte told him to go ahead, because the police would deport him to Mexico. MGM says he is a United States citizen.
Marshall police say Holte told them he was a special deputy with the Dane County Sheriff and works undercover.
A Dane County Sheriff’s spokesperson confirmed that Holte has never been employed by the Sheriff’s Office.
Marshall police also say Holte alleged that MGM had “slashed” him, pointing to wounds on his thigh, but police say Holte’s ex-wife told them Holte had cut himself the day before.
The criminal complaint says Holte’s blood alcohol content was .19 at the time of the incident, more than twice the legal limit to drive.
Holte faces charges of battery, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass, all charged as hate crimes and is scheduled to appear in court on April 13.
Holte’s attorney did not return a message seeking comment.
