Jury finds former Westland police sergeant guilty of ethnic intimidation, assault

LANSING — A former Westland police sergeant was found guilty Friday of committing ethnic intimidation and assaulting a security guard when vising a Detroit casino last year.

Kevin Yudt, 43, of Grass Lake is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 6 on two counts of ethic intimidation, each a two-year felony, and one count of misdemeanor assault and battery, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a release.

A Wayne County jury found Yudt guilty of the charges on Friday, court records confirmed.

The Westland Police Department terminated Yudt from his employment in May 2023, a month after Yudt's confrontation with security at the MGM Grand Detroit. Charges were filed against him earlier this year.

"No one is above the law, and I applaud the jury for their service and commitment to justice," Nessel said. "This type of behavior has no place in our society, especially by those sworn to protect and serve. My office remains dedicated to prosecuting threats of violence and ethnic intimidation to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions."

Prosecutors have said security at MGM Grand Detroit denied Yudt and a friend access to the casino floor on April 6, 2023, because he appeared to be intoxicated.

Upon being denied access, Yudt identified himself as a Westland police sergeant and told security staff, "I'll be waiting for you when you come to Westland, and you will not survive."

He also poked a security guard in the chest and shouted racial slurs.

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