A federal grand jury in Ocala, Florida, has charged two Florida men with committing a hate crime by attacking a Black and striking him with an ax handle, according to prosecutors.
The indictment unsealed Friday alleges that Roy Lashley, 55, and Robert Lashley, also shouted racial slurs during the beating. The attack occurred on Nov. 17, 2021.
If convicted, the defendants each face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The FBI and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office investigated the matter.
According to officials, trial Attorneys Maura White and Matthew Tannenbaum of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Bodnar Jr. for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
For more information and resources about the department’s work to combat hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes