Man accused of antisemitic slurs, ‘shaking power tool’ at Jewish man

Originally posted by The Oakland Press

A Southfield man is facing criminal charges for allegedly shouting antisemitic slurs toward a Jewish man and shaking a power tool at him as he walked on a sidewalk by the accused’s home.

As announced Tuesday by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, Toby Jacob Rhodes, 54, faces one count each of felony assault and ethnic intimidation — which is also a felony.

“Every person has a right to walk down the street without fearing violence or intimidation,” Prosecutor Karen McDonald said.

If convicted of the assault charge, Rhodes faces up to four years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine. If convicted of the intimidation charge, he faces up to two years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.