John Richards convicted in court of hate crimes against police officers

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A San Diego man was convicted of a hate crime Wednesday after pleading guilty in court, City Attorney Mara W. Elliott’s office said.

John Richards admitted to committing a hate crime against an Asian American police officer and one count of assault. The incident occurred on August 26, 2022.

According to police, Richards was found lying on a sidewalk with his genitals exposed, apparently under the influence of alcohol. He was taken to a hospital, where he began to hurl racist abuse at the police officer.

According to prosecutors, Richards yelled things like, “The cop needs to be killed.” The situation allegedly escalated when he was handcuffed. Police said the man punched the cop and tried to kick him.

“This police officer was simply doing his job when he was attacked because of his Asian heritage,” Elliott said. “We all have a duty to confront racist hatred when we see it.”

Richards was sentenced to 141 days in jail, 60 of which he will spend in a residential treatment program, and one year of probation.

According to a 2022 FBI report, race, ethnicity and ancestry account for nearly 60% of hate crimes in the United States