DeKalb man charged with hate crime accepts plea deal, 2 years of court supervision

SYCAMORE – A 70-year-old DeKalb man accused of pulling Muslim headwear off a woman at Walmart accepted a plea deal Tuesday to serve two years of court supervision.

Michael E. Dickey, of the 200 block of Augusta Avenue, was originally charged with two counts of a hate crime, as well as battery and disorderly conduct.

Represented by his lawyer, Reed Nixon, Dickey pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to disorderly conduct, and in addition to the supervision, has been forbidden to have contact with the victim.

Police have said in court records that Dickey yelled anti-Muslim comments at a woman and tried to pull off her head scarf when she tried to record video of him with her phone in November at Walmart, 2300 Sycamore Road.

A further court date was set for 9 a.m. Sept. 17 to make sure Dickey is following his supervision and condition.