LOS ANGELES
A Diamond Bar man pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal criminal civil rights charge for disrupting a “Stop Asian Hate” rally in March 2021, according to federal officials
Steve Lee Dominguez ran a red light and drove through a crowded crosswalk of peaceful demonstrators while shouting racial slurs and epithets.
On the third day of trial, Dominguez, 57, pleaded guilty to one felony count of bias-motivated interference with federally protected activities.
“The right to political expression is a bedrock principle of this nation,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Mr. Dominguez’s decision to attack a peaceful rally meant to raise awareness of anti-Asian hate was both unlawful and un-American.”
“Hate has no place within Los Angeles County, and those that commit acts of hate and interfere with the civil rights of others will be held accountable,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
According to a plea agreement, a “Stop Asian Hate” rally occurred on March 21, 2021, in Diamond Bar. The rally was to raise awareness about the increase in hate crimes and hate incidents against members of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community both locally and nationally, including the murders of six Asian American women five days earlier in Atlanta.
A group of rally participants assembled at the intersection of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue, carrying American flags and large signs in support of their cause.
The demonstrators peacefully gathered and lawfully crossed the streets using the marked pedestrian crosswalk when they had the right of way.
During the rally, Dominguez was driving a black Honda Civic sedan and was stopped at a red light at the intersection.
Dominguez yelled, “Go back to China!” and other racial slurs and profanities at the demonstrators. He then deliberately drove his car through the intersection’s crosswalk at the red light, made an illegal U-turn into oncoming traffic, and cut off the route of several rally participants lawfully crossing the street, primarily women and a young child.
One of the victims was an Asian woman carrying a sign that read, “Stop Asian Hate.”
Another victim was a minor Black female rally participant who carried a sign that read, “End the Violence Against Asians.”
Another person who was cut off in the crosswalk was a 9-year-old child, and Dominguez’s car narrowly missed her and other victims. No injuries were reported.
Dominguez then pulled his car over, got out of the car and continued to yell racial epithets – including the n-word – and threats at the demonstrators.
He then called the police, identified himself as “John Doe” and falsely reported to police that the rally participants were blocking the street. He had to run a red light “because they were about to trample my car,” according to evidence.
He also requested that police “get some control out” at the intersection.
U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II scheduled a May 6, 2024, sentencing hearing. Dominguez will face up to one year in prison, according to the terms of the plea agreement.
Dominguez has remained free on a $30,000 bond since his initial arrest in May 2022 and will remain on bond until sentencing.
The FBI investigated this matter.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frances S. Lewis of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section and Suria M. Bahadue of the Criminal Appeals Section prosecute this case.