Two Arrested on Suspicion of Attacking Legal Immigrant Wearing MAGA Hat

Germantown resident Jovan Crawford, 27, (L) and Washington DC resident Scott Roberson, 25, are suspected of attacking a man in Germantown, Md., on April 13, 2019. Courtesy of Montgomery County Department of Police Fifth District

Two suspects could face prison time if found guilty of attacking and robbing a legal immigrant from Togo in Maryland on April 13.

Germantown resident Jovan Crawford, 27, and Washington D.C. resident Scott Duncan Roberson, 25, are charged with robbing and assaulting the man, who was wearing a red hat with U.S. President Donald Trump’s slogan Make America Great Again (MAGA).

Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police’s fifth district accused Roberson of second degree assault and trying to steal goods worth between $100 and $1500. Crawford faces the same charges as well as malicious destruction of property worth less than $1000.

Police reported the victim was walking near the 18000 block of Cottage Garden Drive in Germantown when he was approached by two men, who began harassing him because he was wearing the MAGA hat.

“The victim told the suspects that he was entitled to his own views and kept walking away from the suspects. The suspects began striking the victim and telling him to take the hat off,” police said in a statement. “The victim continued to be struck by the suspects until he fell to the ground. The suspects then removed property from the victim, and destroyed items of value. The suspects then fled the scene.”

When police arrived on the scene, they helped the victim find the suspects.

“Officers spotted the two suspects attempting to hide among a group of children playing basketball,” police said. “The suspects were taken into custody and transported to the Central Processing Unit where they were charged accordingly.”

Dozens of concerned citizens expressed their support for the victim on social media.

“All over a hat ... that’s a shame. This is America, people are entitled to wear a MAGA hat just as somebody else is with the Obama seal,” Justin Chuckerel said. “Come on people ... Montgomery County is better than this.”

“Absolutely appalling. Scum,” Kelley Jamieson said. “This is a hate crime and needs to be treated as such.”

“Use your hands to vote, not to double up on and beat someone for exercising their rights for freedom of speech,” Betsy Marshall said.

One person questioned whether it was safe to wear a hat in public that aligns with the president.

“Come on ... wearing a MAGA hat in Germantown (primarily black area) ... what did he expect?” Jimmy Daniels said. “That’s begging for trouble.”

However, this did not stop one Trump supporter from posting a photo of himself driving and wearing a MAGA hat.

“Come at me,” Michael Smith said.

The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information about the incident are invited to contact detectives from the fifth district investigative section by phoning 240 773 6237.