Los Angeles, Ca
Man charged with hate crime for allegedly vandalizing Westminster mosque
A 40-year-old man has been charged with a hate crime and felony vandalism of a spot of worship for allegedly vandalizing a mosque in Westminster.
Ernesto Martinez, 40, of Santa Ana, has been charged with one felony depend of vandalism of $400 or extra, one felony depend of vandalism of a spot of worship with the aim of intimidation, one felony hate crime enhancement, and one misdemeanor depend of violation of civil rights – property harm, the Orange County District Legal professional’s Workplace mentioned in a information launch.
Martinez faces a most sentence of six years in jail if convicted on all counts.
On Wednesday, an worker on the Al Noor Basis Mosque, positioned at 14522 Goldenwest St., noticed a person, later recognized as Martinez, attempt to break one of many mosque’s home windows.
Martinez can be accused of hitting the mosque’s entrance door with a gallon-sized paint can after which throwing paint onto one of many home windows.
A Westminster police officer stopped Martinez as he walked close to the mosque. Martinez had paint on his garments and hand and informed the officer that the mosque’s God had disrespected his God, police mentioned.
Martinez, who was on post-release group supervision, is at present being held with out bail on the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange.
“Homes of worship are sacred locations that ought to be protected havens from hate and violence,” O.C. District Legal professional Todd Spitzer mentioned in a written assertion. “At this time, Muslims the world over start celebrating Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. These celebrations should have the ability to go on uninterrupted and with out the worry of somebody attempting to deface a home of worship. Nobody has the appropriate to take that serenity from one other particular person and the Orange County District Legal professional’s Workplace will do the whole lot we are able to to carry haters accountable and shield the rights of everybody to worship in peace.”