Defendants Alam Mohsen and Max Kantar explained to a federal judge in Grand Rapids the pie incident was an anti-war statement. They singled out Levin because of his foreign policy stance.
Mohsen is a senior at Michigan State University. She was born in Yemen, moved to the United State when she was four years old and is now a citizen.
When asked why she changed her plea, Mohsen told the judge “I placed a pie in the face of Senator Carl Levin.” She said it hit the side of his face, and when the judge asked if that’s what she intended, she explained “I intended to hit the middle of his face.”
Kantar is a paraprofessional at Ferris State University. Kantar bought the pie and read a statement during the incident. He entered into a similar plea agreement that drops felony charges in exchange for their guilty pleas.
He said he knew there could be legal consequences but considered it an act of free speech, not of violence.
The two plead guilty to assaulting a member of congress. In exchange for the agreement, the prosecutor agreed to drop another charge against them.
They face up to a $100,000 fine and a year in prison when they’re sentenced June 20th.
Both declined to comment following the hearing.
