Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan announced a Hate Crimes Roundtable Series to connect prosecutors with religious, racial and ethnic community leaders. A Doylestown session is set for Oct. 19 at 3 p.m.

The series follows a Sept. 18 felony ethnic intimidation charge against a Point Pleasant man who allegedly sent death threats, anti-Muslim statements and violent racial slurs to a local church leader and community members. As we reported Monday, Sept. 21, Buckingham Township Police investigated that case after a deacon at a Plumstead Baptist church received threatening text messages.

Khan said the roundtables aim to open direct communication between his office and community leaders so hate crimes are reported, investigated and prosecuted.

"This is why it is so important to hear from the leaders of our vulnerable communities about their concerns and how we can work together to confront hate crimes whenever they occur," Khan said in the announcement.

The first roundtable is set for Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. in Langhorne. The Oct. 19 Doylestown session will be the second. The DA's office said additional dates will follow, though no specifics have been released.

Khan also said he plans to use both criminal and civil tools available under Pennsylvania law to protect victims. DA's offices in the state have the authority to seek civil court relief on behalf of ethnic intimidation victims, but according to the DA's office, that power has rarely been used. Khan said he intends to change that, pledging to use every tool at his disposal to ensure victims obtain justice.

Deputy District Attorney Carrie Worton, who is prosecuting the ethnic intimidation case, is one of several attorneys Khan designated to handle hate crimes. The designation is part of Khan's broader plan to elevate hate crime prosecution within the office.

The suspect in the Sept. 18 case, Robert Maschock Jr., 61, was arraigned before District Judge Tim Barton on a felony ethnic intimidation charge and related misdemeanors, according to Phillyburbs. He was held at Bucks County Correctional Center in lieu of $20,000 bail. No next court date has been publicly confirmed.

No venues have been announced for either roundtable session. Residents who witness or experience a hate crime can contact the Bucks County District Attorney's Office in Doylestown or their local police department.