FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Case # 18NF2699
Date: September 28, 2018
MAN CHARGED WITH HATE CRIME FOR YELLING RACIAL SLURS AND THREATENING TWO VICTIMS WITH A SCREWDRIVER
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was charged yesterday with hate crimes for yelling racial slurs and threatening two victims with a screwdriver.
| Defendant | Charges | Maximum Sentence | Court Date |
| Joel Thomas Rookey, 56, Transient | Charged on Sept. 27, 2018, with the following counts:
Felony:
Misdemeanor:
Sentencing Enhancement:
|
Eight years and fourth months in prison | Pre-trial hearing
Oct. 5, 2018, 8:30 a.m.
Department N3, North Justice Center, Fullerton |
Circumstances of the Case
- On Sept. 25, 2018, Rookey is accused of approaching John Doe 1 and John Doe 2 in their vehicle and yelling racial slurs involving the victims’ countries of origin.
- The defendant is further accused of swinging a screwdriver at John Doe 1 and threatening to kill him with it.
- Anaheim Police Department (APD), who investigated this case, located the defendant with a sharpened screwdriver and arrested him the same day.
Prosecutor: Deputy District Attorney Devin Campbell, Special Prosecutions Unit