A Madison man will avoid felony hate crime charges by pleading guilty to disorderly conduct following an alleged anti-Muslim tirade and assault, court records indicate.
David Arias was charged with felony battery and misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges in August of 2020 after police say he confronted two men at the Rigby Bar on Madison’s east side, berating them with questions like “If you’re Muslim why are you at a bar?” and “Why don’t you eat pork,” along with several expletives directed at Muslims. A police incident report says Arias was kicked out of the bar, but waited for the men outside, punching one of them in the face when they left 15 minutes later.
Court records indicate that he will plead guilty to the misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge and agree to serve six months in the Dane County Jail. He also completed classes in healthy coping skills and conflict resolution from the Corrections Rehabilitation Institute, according to court records. In return, the state will drop the battery charge and an additional bail jumping charge, and the disorderly conduct charge will not be considered a hate crime.
Formal sentencing will take place February 11.
Court records indicate Arias has a history of domestic violence charges, and a jury trial on domestic violence charges is scheduled for February.
