Texas Man Avoids Prison After Brutal Hate Crime Outside MGM Grand Detroit
Posted on: March 19, 2026, 04:32h.
Last updated on: March 19, 2026, 04:32h.
- Texas man avoids prison after violent hate crime outside Detroit casino
- Woman left unconscious after homophobic assault
- Victims criticize security response as attacker receives probation sentence
A Texas man has avoided a prison sentence after pleading guilty to committing a violent hate crime outside the MGM Grand Detroit last year.
In the early hours of July 13, 2025, William Wilson, of Fort Worth, allegedly punched a woman unconscious in a homophobic attack and continued to beat her as she lay on the ground.
He was subsequently charged with felony assault with intent to do great bodily harm, aggravated assault, two counts of assault and battery, and four counts of hate crime causing bodily injury – offenses that could have resulted in up to five years in prison.
Wilson accepted a plea deal, admitting in January to one count of hate crime causing bodily injury. He was sentenced this week to two years’ probation.
Homophobic Attack
Wilson allegedly assaulted Celia Haueter after seeing her holding hands with her fiancée, Chelsi Way. The couple had attended a concert at the casino to celebrate Way’s 30th birthday, along with Haueter’s brother, David Supal, and his fiancé, Zach Chearhart.
As the group made its way to the valet at the end of the night, they were approached by two men who appeared to be intoxicated, one of whom was Wilson.
According to the group, one of the men began directing homophobic slurs at Way. She said her brother pulled her back, explaining he was concerned for her safety because she is on blood thinners and has two blood clots in her lungs.
We’ve never been personally targeted and attacked,” Way told CBS News. “We kind of all looked at each other, and we were like, ‘This is weird.’”
When Haueter asked the men to leave them alone, Wilson allegedly struck her, then hit her again as she tried to get back up. Supal said he reacted instinctively, throwing himself in front of her after seeing “the haymakers he was throwing,” taking several blows in the process.
Wilson then walked away while bystanders and security staff looked on. Way followed at a distance and called 911. Police later located and arrested Wilson.
Haueter was taken to a nearby hospital, where she required 30 stitches to her face.
Criticism of MGM
The victims said in interviews at the time that they were deeply disappointed by what they described as inaction by MGM security staff, whom they believe could have intervened in the attack.
Information reviewed by Casino.org shows that front valet staff witnessed the altercation at 1:13 a.m., promptly alerted security, and called 911. Security personnel arrived at 1:14 a.m. and immediately began providing medical assistance. Police officers and paramedics appear to have reached the scene soon after.
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