Hate Crime Charge Against Suspect Accused of Physically Attacking Asian American Woman in Culver City
A Fontana man faces federal hate crime charges on Wednesday for beating an Asian American woman while shouting racial slurs.
The alleged attack happened on June 14, 2021, in Culver City. Investigators claimed that 37-year-old Jesse Allen Lindsey punched the woman in the face after she did not give him a lighter or cigarette. The victim told him she didn’t smoke.
“The victim in this case was simply minding her own business when she was verbally abused and violently attacked based on nothing more than her appearance,” FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Krysti Hawkins said.
The Department of Justice said a federal grand jury indicted Lindsey, who was already in state prison on an unrelated conviction, with one count of committing a hate crime. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
“Hate-fueled violence has no place in our society,” United States Attorney Martin Estrada said. “We live in one of the most diverse areas of the country, and that diversity brings us strength. Our community will stay united in condemning intolerance, and my office will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute those who harm others on account of bigotry.”
The simple encounter escalated when Lindsey started following the victim, whom he believed to be an Asian American man. Lindsey allegedly started to shout expletives at the woman along with the phrases, “You don’t belong here” and “You can’t say hi…?” before punching her in the head.
The woman fell with her face down on the street while Lindsey shouted more racial slurs and expletives. Paramedics brought the victim to the hospital, where doctors used about 11 stitches to patch up her face. She also sustained injuries to her head and ear, which also forced her to miss more than a month of work. It also caused ongoing pain for a year.
After learning that law enforcement launched a hate crime investigation into the attack, Lindsey fled the state fearing that he would receive a higher punishment, according to the indictment.
Lindsey will appear in federal court in the coming weeks, according to the DOJ.
The Los Angeles office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today welcomed the hate crime charge brought against a man accused of physically attacking an Asian American woman in Culver City in 2021.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“We welcome the hate crime charge brought against the suspect and hope this sends a strong message that hate and racial violence have no place in our communities and will not be tolerated. We stand in solidarity with the Asian American community and look forward to justice being served for the victim.”
To report any bias incidents, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at (714) 776-1177 or click here to file a report.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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 CA vs Hate.
