Machete-Wielding Man Threatened Amish…Now Seeks Redemption
Last year we learned of a Michigan man who’d made repeated threats of violence against Amish people (“Michigan Man (Finally?) Arrested After Amish Knife Threats“).
This struck me as a rather bizarre story at the time. So I’m glad we have now gotten a follow-up – filling in more details on why this man apparently behaved the way he did.
Threats had been ongoing against Amish people in their modest-sized Manistee County community for some time.
But the last straw apparently occurred when Charles Sensing, now 48, accosted a young Amish couple and their baby – while brandishing a large blade:
As they were traveling on the route in their buggy, a man later identified as Sensing “came from somewhere off the roadway waving a large knife trying to get them to stop,” state police said.
The husband then stopped the buggy not thinking that Sensing was going to threaten them.
“Sensing then told the Amish family if they ever traveled this road again, there would be big problems,” state police said. “The victim said that he’s learned that Sensing has threatened other Amish people in the area as well.”
At the time, Sensing allegedly threatened to burn down the Amish couple’s church.
Curiously, though the above incident took place in August 2023, Sensing was only arrested after several more months had passed.
He was later convicted of one count of “ethnic intimidation”, a term for a charge which I hadn’t heard before.
Having pled no contest to the charge, his assault with a dangerous weapon charge was dismissed.
To bring the story, hopefully, to a close, earlier this week Sensing was sentenced.
According to the report, he has ended up with three years of probation, and will avoid prison time if he complies to the terms of probation.
More on Sensing’s Story
But who is Charles Sensing…and why did he feel compelled to make threats against Amish while brandishing a machete?
In the report we learn that Sensing is a former member of the military, who it appears, served admirably, receiving commendations and medals.
At the same time, it sounds like he has had some struggles with both PTSD and mental health issues. From the latest report:
Sensing is a veteran who served in the Marine Corps from 1996 to 2004 and the Army from 2012 to 2018. He was honorably discharged from both and received several commendations, medals and ribbons for his services.
Thompson, Sensing, his attorney William Grant and chief assistant prosecutor Jordan Miller each referenced the role that Sensing’s chronic post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health challenges played in his behavior.
Apparently the appearance of the Amish played a role in “triggering” Sensing:
Sensing previously was a Clare resident. Thompson said Sensing had spent his life’s savings to relocate to Manistee County and found that he was surrounded by an Amish community.
Thompson referenced the case’s presentence report that indicated Sensing felt the Amish residents resembled the people that he encountered while serving in the military.
“(It appears that) it caused you (to) return to the feelings … you had when you were serving overseas, because of the way someone looks,” Thompson said. “You signed up, you took an oath to protect this country, to protect against this kind of thing.”
This part is not explained fully. So I’m going to have to read between the lines here.
Given his dates of service, I am assuming that Sensing served in the Middle East and/or Afghanistan.
Perhaps it is the appearance of Amish men, with their beards without mustaches (resembling the appearance of some Muslim males in that aspect) which is what is being referred to by Judge David Thompson here.
Additionally, Amish women wear simple, body-covering garb – which though different in style, is not that far removed from the heavy, body-concealing clothing worn by women in Islamic cultures.
Did the broad resemblance of the Amish to people in some Islamic cultures drive Sensing’s apparent extreme dislike of the Amish? That would be my best guess.
Sensing’s mental health issues were acknowledged by chief assistant prosecutor Jordan Miller, but not in an excuse-making way:
Miller said that while there is “certainly no shame in having mental health issues, but it does not justify or condone the way you act toward other people.”
“Being mentally ill does not justify hatred toward other people,” Miller said.
Miller emphasized that the police investigation showed “an absolute hatred toward the Amish community.”
The victim was hesitant to testify against Sensing in court because he was fearful of Sensing, Miller said.
For his part, Sensing offered a contrite tone:
When given an opportunity to speak before sentencing, Sensing apologized and added that he had been on multiple medications and going through difficulties when he threatened the victims.
“Since the beginning of this, I realized I had a very bad problem and I’ve always been a very honorable man and taken good care of the people around me,” he said.
Sensing said he completed an anger management course and has been undergoing therapy.
“I’m not typically that kind of person,” he said. “I’ve gotten on medication now that has got me (doing) better.”
Sensing said he has since been working to mend his relationship with Amish residents in the county.
This strikes me as a sad story – but one which thankfully did not end in actual violence.
The Amish have been victims of disturbed individuals in the past…most infamously and tragically in the 2006 Nickel Mines school shootings.
The happiest outcome to this story is that Sensing is able to do what he needs to do to, and put this behind him. The judge, for one, said that he is taking the man at his word about being a different person.
So hopefully Sensing’s change of heart is in fact sincere. And, perhaps even more important for his and others’ safety, that he has received adequate care and support for his mental health issues.
Sad and hopeful
I’m so sorry this man’s mental health deteriorated to such a state that he was threatening Amish folks with weapons. I’m very glad to hear he’s not just accepting responsibility for his wrong behavior, but actively working to repair the harm he did.
Agreed, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for this fellow…I don’t have any input on what local Amish think on the matter, but hopefully the indications are accurate and he has been getting himself to a better place.
lawn mower?
This is a bit off topic, but I’m struck by that Jim Halvorson photo of an Amish woman who appears to be mowing the lawn with a power mower. Looks like it could be a conventional gasoline-powered model, but it could be a battery electric. Either way, it’s an advance over the push mowers that women (often the lawn care manager in an Amish home) once used.
Good eye Boyce, and the fossil-fuel-powered tools aren’t uncommon in a lot of places. This photo is actually from Clare, Michigan (didn’t have a good Manistee County one) which is on the more progressive side. The old-timey push reel mowers you do see in plainer places; for example here is a photo of one in Geauga County OH which has a plainer contingent: https://amishamerica.com/5-outdated-technologies-amish-still-use/
Sensing Sentenced
That’s no “sentence”. That’s a joke!! And what happens when he goes off his medication?? I’ve worked with the mentally ill for 37 years & it happens all the time. Awards, ribbons, medals . . . They’re meaningless. He completed a program b/c his “freedom” to move about in society was at stake. Willing to bet he read a statement prepared by his legal counsel. And how could he not know that Amish live in the area?? Is he blind?! Just saying . . .
Charles Sensing Threatens…
Thank you, Erik for explaining the similarities to the Middle Eastern men and women’s likenesses to the Amish men and women.
-S
Sure – it has struck me before in seeing photos and men from some Islamic cultures in the flesh how their facial hair resembles that of Amish men. Of course, headwear and a lot else is different. But the beard-without-mustache look can be quite distinct.
Tradegy waiting to happen...
Thankfully, this situation was de-escalated before innocent people were hurt or worse. This is a significant problem for many of our service veterans. After being trained as highly skilled warriors and sent to accomplish missions of such intensity, they return to the “civilian” world grappling with an endless cycle of PTSD. The military invests tremendous effort and expense to recruit and train our finest young patriots; however, upon discharge, there is little to no “reprogramming,” so to speak, to help them readjust to a more peaceful state of mind. As a Marine Corps veteran of 12.5 years, I speak with firsthand insight. I also spent over two years as a Marine Drill Instructor at Parris Island and can attest that we shape young men and women at a formative point in their lives, ingraining training into their mindset permanently. So, I understand how this veteran was “triggered” by what he perceived—based on appearance and attire—as hostility. Additionally, the use of a horse and buggy could be another trigger, as it appears out of place in the modern world and might be mistaken for a threat.
On a more positive note, The Sight & Sound Theater is streaming “JESUS” for free (download the app on your phone or T.V.) this coming weekend for Easter. (https://www.sight-sound.tv/jesus-streaming-free-easter-weekend?mc_cid=f33a88823a). God Bless!
Thanks for sharing from your experience here Joseph, it carries a lot of weight. For a civilian who hasn’t been through such things it can be hard to imagine but obviously this stuff is real. It’s a shame that veterans have been shorted in this critical readjustment to civilian life.
Paranoia
Hopefully, he stays on his meds.
Lack of Insight
The perpetator’s quoted comments are all about himself, and lack any insight into the effect of his actions on his victims. He gives excuses for his choice of behavior without any remorse nor regret for the effect of his actions on the victims. What about the trauma and PTSD they likely now experience due to fearing for their lives being threatened with a machete, and fear of an actual attack since the perpetator is free?