California man pleads guilty to driving through crowd at Stop Asian Hate rally
By Carl Samson
The man who drove through a crowd of protesters and yelled anti-Asian slurs at a Stop Asian Hate rally in Diamond Bar, California, two years ago has pleaded guilty to a federal bias charge.
Background: Steve Lee Dominguez, 57, is accused of running a red light and driving through about a dozen people carrying signs at the intersection of South Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue on March 21, 2021. During the encounter, he allegedly yelled “F*ck China,” “Go back to China” and also the N-word.
Charges: Dominguez was arrested in May 2022 and initially charged with two counts of bias-motivated interference with federal protected activities. On Thursday, he pleaded guilty to one count of the charge, according to prosecutors.
What he said: Following the incident, Dominguez called police to falsely report that the protesters were blocking the street, prosecutors said. He also claimed that he was forced to run the red light because “they were about to trample my car.”
What prosecutors are saying: U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada described Dominguez’s alleged actions as “both unlawful and un-American.”
“The right to political expression is a bedrock principle of this nation. Mr. Dominguez’s decision to attack a peaceful rally meant to raise awareness of anti-Asian hate was both unlawful and un-American. My Office will remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguard civil rights against those who would seek to undermine our constitutional rights.”
What’s next: Dominguez, who is free on a $30,000 bond, faces up to a year in prison under his plea agreement. A sentencing hearing is set for May 6, 2024.
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