After reportedly striking a 71-year-old liquor shop employee in Huntington Beach, a man has been charged with a hate crime.
Officials stated Tuesday that a man from Garden Grove is facing hate crime and other charges after allegedly hitting a 71-year-old liquor shop employee and making discriminatory remarks.
Ralph Stanford Davis III, 51, is charged with one felony count of elder abuse, one felony count of civil rights violation resulting in violent harm, and one felony count of hate crime enhancement. He’s also accused of unlawful automobile tampering after spitting on and hitting another customer’s vehicle outside his Huntington Beach shop.
Davis allegedly made derogatory remarks about the clerk’s nationality before punching him in the face as the victim sought to close the store’s security gate on Sunday, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
“This clerk should be allowed to take a job without fear of being harassed on the street because of his nationality,” said District Attorney Todd Spitzer in a statement. “My Hate Crimes Unit will do everything in its power to hold these haters responsible and deliver a clear message that committing hate-motivated violence is a felony that will be punished.”
The arraignment for Davis is set for Tuesday. If convicted as charged, he faces a seven-year sentence.
The incident has been kept under wraps for the time being.
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