From Seattle Post-Intelligencer
A Federal Way, Washington man accused of viciously beating a Sikh cab driver while shouting anti-Muslim slurs now faces a federal hate crime indictment.
Initially charged in King County Superior Court, Jamie W. Larson is accused of attacking a cab driver during an Oct. 17 ride after commenting on the man’s turban. Larson, who is alleged to have torn at the man’s beard and injured his mouth in the attack, apparently believed the Sikh driver to be Muslim.
A federal grand jury in Seattle returned an indictment against Larson late last week; Larson, 49, previously pleaded not guilty to a state charge. He is expected to appear before a U.S. District Court judge Tuesday afternoon.
Announcing the indictment Tuesday, U.S. Attorney for Western Washington Jenny Durkan noted Larson now faces a significant prison sentence under a hate crime law enacted in 2009.
“Attacks such as this one, based on prejudice and racial hate, are contrary to who we are and violate the law,” Durkan said in a statement. “Protecting the civil rights of all the members of our community is a top priority for our office.”
According to state court documents, Larson tore out chunks of the man’s beard during the assault, which also loosened one of the driver’s teeth.
