Minnesota

Assault charges have been filed against a 47-year-old man who accosted, then grabbed the phone and shirt of a fellow Eastern Carver County school board meeting attendee following the district's decision to extend masking requirements for students amid rising COVID-19 cases.

Thomas W. Kahlbaugh, of Carver, was charged last week in Carver County District Court with two misdemeanors, fifth-degree assault and disorderly conduct in connection with the incident in Chaska on Sept. 27 with mask-wearing Jonas Sjoberg.

Kahlbaugh was charged by summons and is due to appear in court on Nov. 15. Court records do not list an attorney for him. Messages were left with Kahlbaugh on Monday seeking a response to the allegations.

Sjoberg told the Star Tribune the next day that he attended the meeting to let board members know that not everyone in the community was against a mask requirement. His daughter attends a private school, but he said he wanted to give a comment as a Chaska resident. He did so wearing a mask before he was confronted by Kahlbaugh. The 45-minutes of comments were largely dominated by those against masks. It was captured on the meeting video that remains available on the School District website.

More..

https://www.startribune.com/assault-charges-filed-against-man-who-grabbed-mask-proponent-at-eastern-carver-school-board-meeting/600107795/