FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Case # 18NF0159
Date: January 17, 2018
MAN CHARGED WITH HATE CRIMES FOR YELLING RACIAL SLURS AT GYM MANAGER AND SPITTING ON BREA POLICE OFFICER
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was charged with hate crimes and arraigned today for yelling racial slurs at gym employees and spitting on a Brea Police Department (BPD) officer.
| Defendant | Charges | Maximum Sentence | Court Date |
| Erik Lee Overturf, 33, La Habra | Charged today with:
Felony
Misdemeanor
|
Three years in state prison | Pre-trial
Jan. 25, 2018, 8:30 a.m.
Department N-3, North Justice Center, Fullerton |
Circumstances of the Case
- At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2018, Overturf is accused of entering a gym in Brea where his membership was previously revoked due multiple instances of disruptive behavior.
- The defendant is accused of repeatedly yelling racial slurs at the gym’s manager John Doe, who is Hispanic, throwing a scanner and pushing a computer monitor from the gym’s front desk area, and attempting to punch John Doe.
- Overturf is accused of having a substantial motivation to commit violence because of the victim’s race.
- BPD officers arrived to the scene and arrested the defendant.
- While in the backseat of the police vehicle, Overturf is accused of yelling profanities and spitting at BPD Officer Doe.
Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Jess Rodriguez, Special Prosecutions Unit