A Canadian woman who slapped a teenage girl on a New Jersey boardwalk because the teen was wearing pro-Donald Trump clothing has been ordered to leave the United States. Kaitlyn Tracey, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of assault and was sentenced to a day in jail, but she will not serve additional time behind bars. A separate immigration investigation found that Tracey had overstayed her permitted visit, leading to her deportation order.
Incident on the Boardwalk
The confrontation occurred on July 3 in Point Pleasant Beach, where surveillance footage captured Tracey hitting the teenager twice. She first struck the girl around the shoulder before slapping her across the face. The victim was part of a group of teenagers wearing patriotic clothing with references to Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Police reported that Tracey approached the group while filming on her phone and began shouting about their outfits. The victim was not injured.
Tracey was identified after investigators reviewed surveillance footage, and a warrant was issued for her arrest. She turned herself in and was initially charged with endangering the welfare of a child, assault, harassment, and obstruction. Most charges were dropped under a plea deal, leaving only a misdemeanor charge of simple assault. Prosecutors said the teenager's family supported the agreement.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Tracey appeared in a Toms River court by telephone from an ICE processing center in Laredo, Texas, where she had been transferred from the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark. Her lawyer, Francis Hodgson, called the attack 'unfortunate' and said his client accepted responsibility. He argued that Tracey had worked and contributed to society while living in the U.S. Hodgson said: 'She met her husband and didn't leave, but while she was [here], she maintained employment and was a productive member of society. She has taken responsibility for her role in it, and this is a reasonable judgment, Judge, that is consistent with other similar-type matters that happen every day during the summer on this boardwalk.'
Tracey received a one-day jail sentence but was given credit for time already served in custody. Separately, an immigration judge in Texas ordered her deportation to Canada. The Department of Homeland Security said Tracey entered the U.S. on April 14, 2024, and was permitted to remain until September 6 of that year. She stayed beyond that date and was therefore in the country unlawfully. Homeland Security had previously dubbed Tracey 'The Maple Leaf Menace' in a social media post announcing her ICE custody.
Impact Statement and Family Reaction
Judge Guy P. Ryan, who handled the criminal case, read an impact statement submitted by the teenager's family. It said: 'Thank goodness for cameras and cell phones to have documented this incident.' The judge noted that the case had shown the family's pride in their country, their 'core values,' and their respect for family history. He added that they 'look forward to justice being served, and they thank all the agencies involved.'
Tracey's husband, Matthew Geroni, disputed the account, claiming the teenagers had been provoking people on the boardwalk and pushed and shoved his wife before the filmed moments. Those allegations were not established in court. Geroni said the short video didn't show the full encounter, and that Tracey had been singled out because her 'punk' clothing clashed with the teens' attire. He also said officers initially treated the incident as a 'nothing-burger' and allowed his wife to leave. A warrant was issued after investigators reviewed surveillance footage. Geroni criticized the conditions at Delaney Hall, describing them as 'horrible.'
Political Tensions and Future
Geroni blamed Donald Trump for rising political hostility, saying: 'Trump is emboldening these people. They're proud of their hate, not love.' He said he would move to Canada if necessary to stay with his wife. 'I would do anything to be with my wife,' he said. It is unclear when Tracey will be deported or how long she will be barred from returning. Judge Ryan said he expected it to be 'a very long time.'
