Wednesday, May 3, 2023

PONTIAC, Mich. - This morning Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald charged 35-year-old Randi Lucille Nord with Ethnic Intimidation and Malicious Destruction of a Building. Ethnic Intimidation is a felony punishable by up to 2 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. Malicious Destruction of a Building is a misdemeanor. Charges stem from antisemitic graffiti spraypainted on a Royal Oak synagogue on April 27, 2023. Nord was taken into custody on Monday by the Farmington Hills Police Department and remains in custody pending arraignment.

"Hate crime, and particularly crime directed at our Jewish community are on the rise. Hate of any kind will not be tolerated in Oakland County and my office will continue to call out and prosecute these offenses to the fullest extent of the law," stated Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. "I formed the Hate Crimes Unit to handle cases like this and to ensure that we have the necessary resources and training to hold individuals accountable for committing hate crimes."

Our office commends the Royal Oak Police Department, Farmington Hills Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Jewish Community Security for their swift action and collaboration in identifying and detaining the suspect.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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Contact: Gabby Klos, Community Liaison, ocpomedia@oakgov.com