Hate crime charge leveled after racial slurs are used

A 55-year-old white man was arrested for a hate crime after he allegedly called a black man racial slurs Sunday in Marseilles.

At about 10:45 p.m., according to a La Salle County Sheriff's Office release, deputies responded to a disturbance at the Four Star Campground, at 2776 East 2625th Road.

According to Sheriff Tom Templeton, Ronnie W. Martin, 55, of La Salle, and the man got into an argument before Martin allegedly called the other man racial slurs and hit him with a bottle.

The man was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Ottawa by Marseilles Ambulance for treatment of his injuries.

Martin was arrested on charges of aggravated battery and a hate crime. He was held at the La Salle County jail, awaiting a bond hearing.