| For Immediate Release Case # 09HF2368 December 31, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486 |
CAUCASIAN TRANSIENT CHARGED WITH
UNPROVOKED HATE CRIME ATTACK OF
AFRICAN-AMERICAN TEENAGE BOY
SANTA ANA – A Caucasian transient was charged with hate crimes for threatening and assaulting an African-American teen who was hanging out with his friends outside of a CVS Pharmacy. Ronald Allen Bramlett, 65, is charged with one felony count of aggravated assault, one felony count of criminal threats, and sentencing enhancements and allegations for hate crimes, the personal use of a deadly weapon, prior 1994 federal bank robbery conviction from Oregon, and a 2001 prison prior for a petty theft with a prior conviction. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 18 years and eight months in state prison if convicted. The People will be requesting Bramlett be held on $1 million bail at his arraignment on Dec. 31, 2009, at 3:30 p.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.
On Dec. 29, 2009, African-American John Doe and his three friends were hanging out in front of CVS Pharmacy located at 1835 Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa. The teens did not know the defendant. Bramlett is accused of approaching the group and calling John Doe derogatory racial names, including “Boy” and “dirty N*****.” The defendant is accused of claiming to be a member of a well-known white supremacist gang and telling John Doe he didn’t have the right to look at him since he had blond hair and blue eyes. Bramlett is accused of refusing to leave after challenging the victim to a fight and waving a knife, while threatening John Doe, “I’m going to cut you up, Boy.” The defendant is accused of fleeing the scene after a bystander told him that he called the police.
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