A Gaston County man spent his birthday in jail after police said he attacked a toddler in a violent rampage and held him at knife point.
Wednesday, Gastonia Police arrested Fred Tate on multiple felony charges after they said he broke into his ex-boyfriend's apartment.
Investigators said Emond Lacy was inside the apartment with his son and nephew when Tate slipped in through a window and began ransacking the apartment, smashing furniture and throwing food against the walls.
"It happened so fast. I was scared," Lacy told Channel 9.
Lacy said Tate then began threatening him and his family before grabbing his nephew and holding a butcher knife to his throat.
"I told him, 'He don't have anything to do with it, let him go,'" Lacy said. "Before I could even get to him, he threw him on the ground and ran."
Lacy said when Tate threw the toddler into the concrete, the boy suffered facial lacerations and an injury to his nose and forehead.
Police later arrested Tate and said during the arrest, he became combative, kicking and spitting on the officer.
In court Thursday, Tate pleaded with the judge for mercy.
"Your Honor, today is my birthday, I'm not understanding what none of these charges is. This stuff is completely lies, I'm telling you right now, it's just completely lies on me," Tate said through tears.
The judge disagreed, citing the officers' report of Tate's behavior during the arrest and proceeded to raise Tate's bond from $50,000 to $200,000.
He will next appear in court on Sept. 30.
Wednesday, Gastonia Police arrested Fred Tate on multiple felony charges after they said he broke into his ex-boyfriend's apartment.
Investigators said Emond Lacy was inside the apartment with his son and nephew when Tate slipped in through a window and began ransacking the apartment, smashing furniture and throwing food against the walls.
"It happened so fast. I was scared," Lacy told Channel 9.
Lacy said Tate then began threatening him and his family before grabbing his nephew and holding a butcher knife to his throat.
"I told him, 'He don't have anything to do with it, let him go,'" Lacy said. "Before I could even get to him, he threw him on the ground and ran."
Lacy said when Tate threw the toddler into the concrete, the boy suffered facial lacerations and an injury to his nose and forehead.
Police later arrested Tate and said during the arrest, he became combative, kicking and spitting on the officer.
In court Thursday, Tate pleaded with the judge for mercy.
"Your Honor, today is my birthday, I'm not understanding what none of these charges is. This stuff is completely lies, I'm telling you right now, it's just completely lies on me," Tate said through tears.
The judge disagreed, citing the officers' report of Tate's behavior during the arrest and proceeded to raise Tate's bond from $50,000 to $200,000.
He will next appear in court on Sept. 30.
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