MAN CHARGED WITH HATE CRIMES FOR YELLING RACIAL SLURS AT GYM MANAGER AND SPITTING ON BREA POLICE OFFICER

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

  • Hate crime (Assault) with present ability to commit violent injury

Misdemeanor

  • Violation of civil rights
  • Battery on a peace officer
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