Charges: Sen. Hoffman’s Neighbor Harassed Family With Illegal Fireworks

A Champlin man is accused of harassing a state lawmaker and his family — who survived an assassination attempt last summer — by shooting illegal fireworks near their home.

Jeffery Maciej, 66, faces charges of harassment and disorderly conduct. 

According to the criminal complaint, at 9:05 p.m. on July 4, police were dispatched to a Champlin neighborhood on a report of illegal fireworks going off. 

An officer arrived at Maciej’s home, finding burn marks and fireworks debris in the driveway.

After an officer warned Maciej to only use legal fireworks, he asked if Sen. John Hoffman, who lives next door, had reported him. The officer declined to answer.

Two days later, law enforcement reviewed a home security video where Maciej can be heard yelling at the Hoffmans before lighting off illegal fireworks.

“This one’s for f****** what’s her name, Hope,” Maciej allegedly said, referring to Hoffman’s daughter before loud detonations can be heard.

He later yelled “this one’s for John,” and “this one’s for you buddy,” before lighting off another volley of illegal fireworks.

Yvette Hoffman, who was shot multiple times during last summer’s assassination attempt, told police she “felt terrorized and was fearful of going outside.”

The Hoffmans also had a restraining order against Maciej from approximately 10 years ago.

Maciej admitted to shooting off the fireworks and said he has a “long history with the neighbors.”

“[Maciej] also admitted to making statements about the neighbors as he was shooting off fireworks and stated that he was just ‘smarting off,'” the criminal complaint read. “[He] eluded that he was upset that the police were called on him for shooting off fireworks.”

Also see: ‘A Lot At Stake Here’: Sen. Hoffman Returns to Capitol After Assassination Attempt

Brooklyn Park | Champlin