Man Accused In Anti-Muslim Tirade Has Tampa Bay Ties

PLANT CITY, FL — A man accused of going off on a drunken tirade directed at a Muslim family enjoying a day at a Texas beach once called Plant City home. Alexander Jennes Downing, 35, listed the town as his home address during a July 2016 arrest on domestic battery and abuse of an elderly or disabled adult charges.

Downing’s most recent arrest stems from a May 3 incident at the Pearl South Padre Island Resort in South Padre Island, Texas. During that incident, Downing is accused of going off on a profanity-laced tirade at a Muslim family sitting with their children in the sand.

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A video of the rant was posted to YouTube by Noria Alward, along with an explanation of the family’s side of the story. In the video, Downing declares that "his Christianity" will rise above the family's "Sharia law." At one point in the video, the man grabs his crotch and later declares "Donald Trump will stop you!"

"While enjoying our time at the beach during a family reunion, our kids and us had to experience ugliness and aggressiveness in the [worst] shape and form possible," Alward said in the description.

The incident occurred after the family's father was asked by two women to help stop Downing from harassing them, according to the video description. After telling Downing to enjoy the beach and let others do the same, Downing allegedly left and later came back spewing racist comments.

Police were eventually called and charged Downing with public intoxication, MySanAntonio reported.

Downing’s Tampa Bay area ties were pointed out by Heavy.com. That outlet published a copy of Downing’s July 11, 2016, arrest report. In that incident, he was accused of punching an elderly relative, pushing him and knocking him down. A female victim tried to step in, but was also struck, the report said.

Hillsborough County court records show that Downing was convicted on both charges stemming from the Plant City incident. He was sentenced to probation for 36 months on Nov. 1, 2016. Judge Asley B. Moody also ordered Downing to take anger management classes, court records show.

Downing now reportedly calls Waterford, Connecticut, home, multiple media outlets have reported. He also has an arrest record that dates back to 2003 and once lived in Polk County, as well, WTSP reported.

To see the video posted by Noria Alward, visit YouTube. Note: The video includes numerous expletives and obscene gestures.

Patch's RJ Scofield contributed to this story.

Booking photo courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office