CALIFORNIA — A 33-year-old man plead guilty today in U.S. District Court for his role in attacking a white man and a black woman at a convenience store in Marysville, California, according to authorities.
Anthony Merrell Tyler along with Billy James Hammett, 30, and Perry Sylvester Jackson, 28, attacked the couple who were inside their parked car at a convenience store in Marysville , federal officials said.
The attacked took place around 10:45 p.m. on April 18, 2011, officials said.
“These defendants attacked the victims simply because of race,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Jocelyn Samuels. “Such violence and intimidation have no place in our society. Where these acts occur, the Department will continue to aggressively prosecute them.”
The three Yuba County defendants, each of whom has white supremacist tattoos, called the male victim a “[racial slur]-lover.” Jackson punched him twice in the head through the open passenger window.
At the same time, officials said Hammett kicked the woman in the chest.
A few seconds later, Tyler smashed the car’s windshield with a crowbar. As the attack continued, officials said the woman managed to take refuge inside the convenience store.
All three assailants then began attacking the male victim in the parking lot. He sustained abrasions on his right forearm and knees, while the woman suffered bruising to her chest, say authorities.
At the end of the incident, Tyler used a racial slur to refer to an Black witness.
Tyler will be sentenced in July. Hammett and Jackson, who both plead guilty to hate crimes in December, will be sentenced in March and April, respectively.
Each defendant faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.