Man pleads not guilty in Ohio fair incident involving Amy Acton

A man accused of charging toward Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton during a campaign appearance at the Canfield Fair and injuring two people pleaded not guilty on Sept. 8 to multiple misdemeanor charges.

Patrick Havas, 38, appeared virtually from jail at his arraignment before Canfield Court Judge Molly Johnson. He pleaded not guilty to one count of disorderly conduct and three first-degree misdemeanor charges, including two counts of assault and one count of inducing panic.

Johnson set bond at $5,000 and ordered Havas to have no contact with the two injured attendees and Acton. Mahoning County Prosecutor Lynn Maro said Acton is considered a victim because of the inducing panic charge.

The incident occurred on Sept. 6 at the Canfield Fair, a large annual event in northeast Ohio located southwest of Youngstown, where Acton was speaking at a Mahoning County Democratic Party tent. Authorities said Havas pushed through a crowd and knocked down two older adults while attempting to reach the candidate.

Deputies arrested Havas shortly after the confrontation. According to the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, he was carrying two handguns, a Taser and brass knuckles, though authorities have said none of the weapons were used during the incident.

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/