Great Lakes Wire

A Wayne County jury has convicted former Westland Police Sergeant Kevin Yudt of ethnic intimidation and assault. The verdict was announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Yudt, 43, from Grass Lake, was found guilty of two counts of ethnic intimidation, a felony carrying a maximum sentence of two years for each count, and one count of assault and battery, which is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail.

The incident leading to the charges occurred on April 6, 2023, at MGM Grand Detroit. Security personnel denied Yudt access to the casino floor due to his apparent intoxication. In response, he identified himself as a Westland police sergeant and allegedly threatened the security staff with the statement: “I’ll be waiting for you when you come to Westland, and you will not survive.” Additionally, he reportedly poked a security guard in the chest while using racial slurs.

Following this incident, Yudt was dismissed from his position at the Westland Police Department in May 2023. Charges were formally brought against him in May 2024.

Attorney General Nessel commented on the conviction: “No one is above the law, and I applaud the jury for their service and commitment to justice,” she said. “This type of behavior has no place in our society, especially by those sworn to protect and serve. My office remains dedicated to prosecuting threats of violence and ethnic intimidation to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.”

Sentencing is scheduled for December 6 at 10:30 a.m., where Judge Nicholas Hathaway will preside over the proceedings.