Left: Michael Nixon seen on video during his alleged attack on a bartender (WPLG/YouTube). Center: Michael Nixon (Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation). Right: Michael Nixon punching a bar worker on video, according to police (WPLG/YouTube).
All charges have been dropped against the Florida tourist who allegedly unleashed a racist tirade evoking President Donald Trump and attacked a Miami Beach bartender last month, with the victim reportedly telling prosecutors he “did not want to go forward” with the case.
“No action will be taken,” Assistant State Attorney Sophiea Bailey wrote in a closeout memo this week, which was obtained by local ABC affiliate WPLG. “The victim stated that he and the establishment did not want to go forward with the charges.”
Michael Nixon, 42, of Virginia, was allegedly caught on security video hurling anti-Hispanic insults at a Miami Beach bartender and telling him that “f—ing Trump is going to deport your a–” in what cops originally labeled a hate crime.
“F— you, I’m American!” Nixon can be heard allegedly telling the bartender in the video, which was obtained and posted on YouTube by WPLG.
“America — English, b—-! English!” Nixon allegedly says. “F—ing Trump’s going to deport your ass. … You f—ing Cuban b—-.”
The victim reportedly called the DA’s office and spoke to prosecutors directly about dropping the charges against Nixon, despite what he allegedly went through. Bailey said she spoke to the man herself and he explained his reasoning.
“The victim stated he was not hurt and did not want to deal with the incident any further,” the prosecutor wrote in the closeout memo. “I explained to the victim that if he did not want to go forward, I would (not) press charges and the case would end.”
Bailey noted how the victim said he “understood” and wanted to be done with everything. The decision was announced during Nixon’s arraignment hearing Tuesday.
Nixon, who is from Virginia, traveled to Miami Beach in mid-January and was allegedly at Norman’s Tavern at 6770 Collins Ave. on North Beach when the attack occurred. He racked up a $130.81 tab while there, which the bartender was trying to get him to pay, according to police.
“I won’t pay s—,” Nixon allegedly told the bartender. “English, motherf—er. … You speak English. English, b—-. I live in America.”
During his alleged tirade, Nixon can be seen on video exchanging words with the bartender and another employee, whom he targeted with a punch to the face, according to cops. His “increasing(ly) aggressive behavior” eventually led workers to allow him to leave to “prevent further physical assaults,” the incident report said.
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As Nixon went to leave, he “intentionally struck” the bartender by “forcefully moving his body forward, specifically his left shoulder, towards (him),” police allege. The security video appears to show him doing this, as well as the bartender defending himself with a strike to Nixon’s face.
Police were called by bar staff during the incident and arrived on scene to find Nixon outside. He was taken into custody on a felony charge of battery with prejudice and misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief, defrauding an innkeeper and disorderly conduct. All of the charges were dropped.
