Homeless man pleads guilty to hate crime attack on Asian American woman in Culver City

A transient man has pleaded guilty to punching an Asian American woman in the head in Culver City while shouting racial slurs at her in 2021.

Jesse Lindsey, 38, whose last known address was in Fontana, pleaded guilty to one hate crime count, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday. He has been in federal custody since July 18 and was in state prison for an unrelated conviction before then.

At approximately 1 a.m. on June 14, 2021, the victim was walking to work in Culver City when, according to federal prosecutors, Lindsey approached her and yelled at the victim, whom he perceived to be Asian, “You can’t say hi to a [expletive] white boy?”

Lindsey then punched the victim in the head, causing her to fall onto the street and hit her head.

While the victim was face down on the street, Lindsey shouted, “You hear what I said, [N-word]? I said good morning, b****!” prosecutors said.

The victim suffered injuries to her head and ear, which required approximately 11 stitches.

In an effort to identify the woman’s attacker, authorities released surveillance video of the suspect inside a nearby convenience store moments after the assault.

After he was identified and during interrogation, the prosecutor said Lindsey made multiple derogatory and profane remarks about people of Asian descent.

“The facts of this case shock the conscience,” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Mr. Lindsey’s actions were heinous, despicable, and inhumane. Violating the civil rights of others by engaging in racial violence is antithetical to our values as Americans.”

Lindsey will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for March 3, 2025.

A transient man has pleaded guilty to punching an Asian American woman in the head in Culver City while shouting racial slurs at her in 2021. Jesse Lindsey, 38, whose last known address was in Fontana, pleaded guilty to one hate crime count, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday. He has been in federal […]