Racist Man Arrested for Hate Crime

Gainesville Police Department officers arrested Brent Nyman, 47, Wednesday afternoon and charged him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

According to the arrest report, Nyman was letting the victim stay at his residence temporarily. When the victim and her friend went to get her belongings, Nyman reportedly threatened them with a baseball bat.  

A witness told police they saw Nyman call the victim, who is Black, the n-word repeatedly. 

Nyman reportedly told police he “armed himself with the bat due to the victim being African-American and concerns he would be ‘jumped’ by her cousin.” Nyman said he was “upset” because the victim didn’t pick up her belongings when he wanted. 

The arrest report states Nyman’s actions showcased “prejudice based on the race of the victim, a clear violation of [Florida Statute 775.085] (Evidencing Prejudice While Committing Offense).”

Nyman is being held in the Alachua County Jail on a $150,000 bond.