(WWJ) A Downriver man is facing a terrorism charge after he allegedly spit at hospital personnel to intentionally spread the coronavirus.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged 30-year-old Richard Allen Kechego of Lincoln Park in connection with two separate, but similar incidents in Wyandotte and Dearborn.
In the first case, the evening of March 29, while Kechego was in the care of a hospital in Wyandotte, it's alleged he verbally assaulted, threatened and spat at several hospital staffers "with the intent to infect them with a virus."
A couple of weeks later, on April 16, while Kechego was in the care of a local hospital in Dearborn, Worthy said Kechego again verbally assaulted, threatened and spat at a hospital staff member with the intent of infecting the person.
Kechego was arraigned in 27th District Court in Wyandotte Wednesday on one count of Threat of Terrorism, and one count of Harmful Devices/Unlawful Use. Bond was set at $50,000 on the conditions that he wear a GPS tether, and remain under house arrest if he's released.
In the Dearborn case, Kechego has been charged with Harmful Devices/Unlawful Use. He is expected to be arraigned on that charge Thursday morning via Zoom in 19th District Court in Dearborn.
“It is hard to wrap one’s mind around this defendant’s alleged behavior, especially during these times," Worthy said, in a statement. "If you are even thinking about doing something like this, know that acting on it is criminal behavior.”
Kechego will be back in court for a Probable Cause Conference in Wyandotte on May 14.