Man, 72, accused of harassing victim with homophobic slurs, faces bias crime charge in Sussex County
SPARTA TOWNSHIP, NJ (Sussex County) – A Sussex County man was charged after allegedly harassing a victim with homophobic slurs outside a Sparta Township business, according to Acting Sussex County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart.
Joseph M. Dumanov, 72, of Sparta Township was charged with harassment, disorderly conduct and fourth-degree bias intimidation.
On Aug. 27, police responded to a report of a harassment occurring outside a business. The victim stated he had an incident with Dumanov, a former customer, wherein he harassed the victim by calling the victim several homophobic slurs and making inappropriate hand gestures towards him in front of several witnesses, Taggart said.
Dumanov then approached the victim in an aggressive manner and continued to make derogatory comments and harass the victim because of perceived sexual orientation, Taggart said.
The investigation was conducted by Sparta Township Police Department and the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office Bias Unit.
