Elgin OPP have charged the son of controversial Church of God Pastor Henry Hildebrandt following an alleged assault last Thursday in Malahide.
The incident occurred on a farm property on Imperial Road across from the Church of God north of Aylmer where 37-year-old Herbert Hildebrandt is alleged to have assaulted former Malahide Township councillor Jack Dykxhoorn.
The 84-year-old Dykxhoorn and several friends had been putting up pro-mask signs across from the church when Hildebrandt allegedly pulled into the driveway and there was a confrontation.
Elgin OPP investigated an assault complaint from Dykxhoorn and Hildebrandt was arrested and charged Saturday. He is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 19.
Both Hildebrandt’s have been involved with freedom rallies opposed to COVID-19 restrictions imposed by both the province and federal government.
Most recently Herbert Hildebrandt was charged for his alleged role in organizing a rally Nov. 7 in Aylmer that attracted about 2,000 people to the East Elgin Community Centre.
Later that month, Henry Hildebrandt balked at a request from Southwestern Public Health to voluntarily close his Aylmer church for in-person services and gatherings for 28 days.
The request was the result of a recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the community.
In a video posted to YouTube he responded, “God forbid that we would close the doors voluntarily.”
He claimed the health unit is lying to the church and the public in general about the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic.
