Charges have been filed in regard to the Milwaukee acid attack against the man who allegedly threw acid on a Peruvian immigrant, according to the criminal complaint that was released by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office Wednesday afternoon.
Clifton A. Blackwell, 61, has been charged with committing a hate crime and first-degree reckless injury by use of a dangerous weapon, a felony charge. Blackwell caused great bodily harm to Mahud Villalaz, 42, and showed disregard for human life, according to the complaint.
If convicted, Blackwell can be fined up to $100,000 or imprisoned up to 25 years or both.
On Nov. 1 officers responded to a Mexican restaurant, Taqueria La Sierrita, on 13th Street in Milwaukee for a battery complaint. Villalaz was taken to the St. Mary’s Burn Center and was treated for second-degree burns to his face, cheek and neck. His clothes had been burned through as well. Doctors determined the injuries were caused by acid, according to the complaint.
Detectives spoke with Villalaz, who said he drove to the restaurant, parked his vehicle and walked toward the entrance. A white male, now identified as Blackwell, approached him and said he couldn’t park there because he was too close to the bus stop.
“Why did you invade my country?” Blackwell said, according to the complaint. “Why don’t you respect my laws?”
Villalaz noticed Blackwell pulled out a metal bottle from a bag. He returned to his truck and moved to a different parking spot, away from the bus stop. Once he got out of his vehicle, Backwell allegedly started yelling racial slurs at him.
Villalaz responded to Blackwell and said, “Everyone comes from somewhere first,” and that American Indians had been in the U.S. the longest. Blackwell then threw liquid from the metal container on Villalaz’s face. It burned him on contact. He ran into the restaurant for help, said the complaint.
A search warrant was issued and executed at Blackwell’s residence in response to the Milwaukee acid attack. Detectives found muriatic acid, four bottles of sulfuric acid, two bottles of drain opener and Parkerizing cleaner, the complaint said. Blackwell was arrested Nov. 2.
Villalaz had moved to the U.S. in 2001 and became a U.S. citizen in 2013.
Blackwell’s first court appearance was Wednesday for the Milwaukee acid attack. He has a prior felony for false imprisonment and a misdemeanor for intentionally pointing a firearm at a person from 2006, according to court documents.