Fontana man charged with racially slurred attack on Asian-American woman

A Fontana man faces a hate crime charge in federal court Wednesday for punching an Asian-American woman while shouting racist slurs.

The alleged attack occurred on June 14, 2021, in Culver City. Investigators alleged that 37-year-old Jesse Allen Lindsey punched the woman in the face after she refused to give him a lighter or cigarette. The victim told him she was a non-smoker.

“The victim in this case was simply minding his own business when he was verbally abused and violently attacked based solely on his appearance,” said FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Krysti Hawkins.

The Justice Department said a federal grand jury indicted Lindsey, who was already serving time in state prison for another conviction, on a hate crime charge. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

“Hate-fueled violence has no place in our society,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “We live in one of the most diverse communities in the country, and that diversity gives us strength. Our community will continue to stand united in condemning intolerance, and my office will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute those who harm others based on bigotry.”

The simple altercation escalated when Lindsey began following the victim, who he believed to be an Asian-American man. Lindsey allegedly shouted profanities at the woman, along with the phrases “You don’t belong here” and “You can’t say hello…?” before punching her in the head.

The woman fell face down on the street as Lindsey continued to shout racial slurs and profanities. Paramedics rushed the victim to the hospital, where doctors patched up her face with about 11 stitches. She also suffered injuries to her head and ear that forced her to miss more than a month of work. The injuries also caused her ongoing pain for a year.

After learning that police had launched a hate crime investigation, Lindsey fled the state for fear of a harsher sentence, the indictment says.

According to the Justice Department, Lindsey will appear in federal court in the coming weeks.