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A federal grand jury returned an indictment against a Southern California man for a hate crime after allegedly hitting an Asian-American woman in the head in Culver City while yelling racial slurs at her.
Jesse Allen Lindsey, 37, who is in state prison on an unrelated conviction but whose last known address was in Fontana, was charged Wednesday with committing a hate crime, a serious charge that carries a maximum sentence. legal 10 years in federal prison.
"Violence fueled by hate has no place in our society," said federal prosecutor Martín Estrada. ?We live in one of the most diverse areas of the country and that diversity strengthens us. "Our community will stand united in condemning bigotry, and my office will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute those who harm others because of their bigotry."
Krysti Hawkins, acting assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles field office, detailed that the victim was minding her own business when she was verbally abused and violently attacked based on nothing more than her appearance.
In that sense, he said that “the FBI is committed to protecting civil rights in the United States and will hold accountable anyone who is so driven by hate that they target innocent people because of their race.”
According to the indictment, at approximately 1:00 a.m. on June 14, 2021, the victim was walking to work in Culver City when Lindsey, a white male, asked him for a lighter or a cigarette. She responded that she didn't smoke. Lindsey allegedly began following her and yelled at the victim, whom she perceived as an Asian-American man, “You Asian [expletive], turn around.” Lindsey allegedly called the victim “Korean” and yelled, “You Asian [expletive], you don't belong here,” the indictment states.
The indictment further alleges that, as captured on surveillance video, Lindsey yelled at the victim, “Can't you say hello to a [expletive] white guy?” Lindsey then punched the victim in the head, causing her to fall to the street and hit her head. As the victim lay face down in the street, Lindsey screamed: ?Do you hear what I said, [N-word]? I said good morning, bitch!
Emergency personnel later transported the victim to a hospital, where he received approximately 11 stitches to his face. As a result of the attack, the victim suffered injuries to her head and ear, which left her unable to work for a month and caused her continuous pain for a year, the prosecution alleges.
When he later learned from the news that authorities were investigating the incident as a hate crime, Lindsey, fearful of further punishment, fled California, according to the indictment.
“The community we serve is rich in cultural diversity and we are committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all,” noted Culver City Police Chief Jason Sims.
?Hate has no place in Culver City. I am extremely proud of the work done by the Culver City Police Department to identify and locate the suspect responsible for this violent hate crime. "In collaboration with the FBI, we not only seek justice for the innocent victim in this case, but we also emphasize that this type of heinous crime will not be tolerated in our neighborhoods," he added.
An indictment is simply that, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Lindsey is currently in state custody and is expected to appear in federal court in the coming weeks.
The FBI is investigating this case and received substantial assistance from the Culver City Police Department.
This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to AC vs Hate.
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