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Man charged in assault on homeless camp

A Traverse City man has been charged with assaulting a group of homeless men earlier this month.

Prosecutors allege 19-year-old Maayingan Brauker attacked the men twice. The victims were kicked and had firecrackers and stones thrown at them as they slept behind near Central United Methodist Church on July 6th and 7th.

Prosecutors allege Brauker attacked eight men who were sleeping at the camp and two of the victims were hurt badly enough to be taken to the hospital.

Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Bob Cooney says Brauker is charged with two counts of aggravated assault and seven counts of assault and battery.

“This was particularly disturbing, when homeless people are randomly assaulted,” says Conney. “These folks have enough problems in their lives without having to worry about intentional acts of physical violence committed against them.”

All of the charges against Brauker are misdemeanors. If he’s convicted, he faces up to a year in prison.

Cooney says another man was present with Brauker when he allegedly attacked the men. He was named in media reports earlier this week but will not be charged with a crime.

“It is maybe surprising, but the law provides that the mere fact that a person is present when a crime is being committed – even if they knew that the alleged crime was planned or was being committed – is not enough to prove that they assisted in committing that crime,” says Cooney.

According to his Facebook page, Brauker grew up in Traverse City and graduated this year from Traverse City High School.

Two years ago, Brauker and his brother made news when they were fined $200 by Traverse City police for performing music downtown without a permit. They argued the need for a permit violated their first amendment right to free speech. The city later dropped charges against them.

Court records show Brauker has convictions for retail fraud, possession of marijuana and possessing and consuming alcohol. A date for his arraignment has not yet been scheduled.