Armed man accused of lunging at Ohio Dem candidate avoids felonies as prosecutor reveals key evidence
No Felony Charges Filed in Ohio Fair Incident Involving Amy Acton
Mahoning County, Ohio – Prosecutors have announced that the man accused of storming toward Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair will not face felony charges. The decision, made by Mahoning County Prosecutor Lynn Maro, comes after investigators reviewed the only available footage of the incident, which was recorded by the suspect himself.
The suspect, Patrick Havas, was apprehended after reportedly running toward a tent where Dr. Acton was speaking, armed with a Taser and two firearms. While moving toward the tent, Havas allegedly knocked over several fair attendees. Ohio Highway Patrol officers intervened, stopping him before he could reach the candidate.
“At this point, the only video we have is the defendant’s,” Maro told reporters. “And what that is showing certainly doesn’t support filing felony charges.” The footage shows Havas approaching the tent, calling out Acton’s name, and then dropping or tossing his phone before officers halted him. The campaign for Acton had requested that people stop recording the candidate shortly before the incident, a detail the prosecutor confirmed.
Havas was initially booked on two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct—both misdemeanors. An additional misdemeanor charge of inducing panic was added at his arraignment on Tuesday, bringing the total to four counts. He entered a plea of not guilty.
Judge‑ordered restrictions on the suspect include a $5,000 bond and a prohibition against speaking to the press. Havas must also surrender any weapons in his possession. The judge also placed him under a 5‑k bond.
The Acton campaign released a statement thanking law enforcement for their swift action and expressing gratitude for the recovery of those injured. “This kind of violence has no place in Ohio,” the campaign’s communications director Addie Bullock said. “Dr. Acton will always stand up to the chaos, hate, and vitriol that pits us against one another.”
Havas, a resident of the area, has a history of criminal charges. He was arrested in 2008 for petty theft and disorderly conduct. The theft charge was later dismissed after a no‑contest plea to the disorderly conduct charge, which involved alleged theft of several movies from a supermarket, including the James Bond film Casino Royale.
The incident occurred during the Canfield Fair, an annual event drawing thousands of visitors each year. Dr. Amy Acton, a physician and Ohio Democratic nominee for governor, is facing Republican entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy in the November election. Ohio’s current governor, Mike DeWine, is term‑limited and is not a candidate.
County officials have declined to release the suspect’s video to the public as the investigation remains active. The case continues under misdemeanor charges, with prosecutors stating that the evidence does not support a felony filing.