AREA, Florida (CBS12) — Tensions are high for election workers and candidates following the recent arrest of Nicholas Farley.

Farley, a 30-year-old West Palm Beach resident, was taken into custody over the weekend on charges related to voter intimidation. Farley was accused of shouting racial slurs and driving recklessly at early voters outside the Acreage branch library in Loxahatchee.

ALSO READ: Man accused of making anti-Semitic and racist slurs against early voters outside Acreage branch library

Last Thursday, Lily Loudon, a volunteer for Republican candidate Meg Weinberger, experienced the meeting.

“He (Farley) just yelled at me angrily. He simply uttered numerous anti-Semitic insults. I guess because of Meg Weinberger,” Loudon said.

“What was scary was not so much verbal as when he came back and he was driving in a threatening manner and I was afraid he was armed,” Loudon added.

In an interview with detectives, Farley admitted that seeing Meg Weinberger’s campaign posters triggered her outburst of anti-Semitic remarks.

Meg Weinberger, a candidate for State House District 94, expressed concern over the incident.

“Absolutely, it’s very scary that we’re facing this. It’s just not a way to live and maybe he opens his eyes and realizes that we are all human beings, no matter our religion or the color of our skin,” Weinberger said.

The Palm Beach County District Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing the case.

“We were able to convince Judge Damico to issue a bond of $100,000 per count, which is somewhat unheard of in a second-degree felony,” said Freddie Menard, an assistant district attorney who handled the first appearance. by Farley.

She also commented on the accusation of an increase in hate crimes.

“Law 775.085 on hate crimes is an improvement,” Ménard explained. “The special enhancement is called ‘proof of prejudice in commission.’ So that’s what makes it a hate crime and that takes it to a higher level in the crime classification.

Ménard supervises a Hate Crimes Task Forcewhich aims to raise awareness about the rise of illegal acts of bias in the community, while providing support to victims.

“These are very serious crimes, especially when coupled with things like voter intimidation. This is something that our county especially takes very seriously,” Menard said.

The State Attorney’s Office urges the community to report any suspicious or illegal activity related to voter intimidation, threats or harassment to ensure a safe and fair voting process.

“The lack of reporting really hurts us as a community because it allows these people who are committing crimes against people unnecessarily and without any justification to continue to do so in disguise,” Ménard said.

PBSO noted that Farley had a history of making racial and anti-Semitic remarks. On October 3, Farley shouted racial slurs at a family playing at Acreage Park in West Palm Beach. The victim told officers that Farley walked in and out of the parking lot and yelled at her and her children, stating, “You are a race traitor.”

Additionally, on July 14, Farley was apprehended by the West Palm Beach Police Department for aggravated assault with a firearm without intent to kill. Farley allegedly yelled at an interracial couple as they walked down Clematis Street, telling the white woman she was committing genetic suicide. When the victims confronted Farley, he allegedly pulled out a gun and told them he was going to shoot them.