Man accused of committing multiple hate crimes in Huntington Beach pleads not guilty
A 42-year-old man charged with committing hate crimes against multiple people in Huntington Beach last month pleaded not guilty Thursday to violating the civil rights of others, including threatening one person at knifepoint.
Tremaine Jatari Sowell appeared in a Santa Ana courtroom, where he faced one felony count for committing an aggravating offense during the commission of a hate crime, in addition to a second misdemeanor charge of civil rights violation.
Prosecutors with the Orange County district attorney’s office alleged in a June 10 criminal complaint Sowell, who is Black, committed battery against one victim, identified only as Anthony R., due to his race, religion, gender, disability or sexual orientation.
The complaint was not specific as to the nature of Sowell’s alleged intimidation, and the battery charge did not appear in court records Thursday.
Tremaine Jatari Sowell, 42, is accused of a “random” attack just before 5:50 p.m. Wednesday in downtown Huntington Beach on a woman based on her sexual orientation, according to police.
Prosecutors further claimed Sowell “did willfully and unlawfully injure, intimidate, interfere with, oppress and threaten” the rights of a second victim, Miriah M., for which an additional misdemeanor charge was filed.
Huntington Beach Police Lt. Shawn Randell told City News Service last month Sowell was arrested June 8 following a “random” attack in downtown Huntington Beach against a woman, based on her sexual orientation, and made threats against others.
In at least one instance, the complaint continues, Sowell drew and exhibited a knife in a “rude, angry and threatening manner” against a third unnamed victim, identified in the complaint only as John Doe.
Sowell, for whom no specific city of residence was listed, was arrested in February on suspicion of another hate crime, after he allegedly brandished a stun gun at a 54-year-old white man while making comments about the victim’s race, City News Service reported.
In that case, he pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of civil rights violation on March 24, and the other charges against him were dismissed.
Sowell, whose occupation is listed as musician, is currently being held in an Orange County jail on $35,000 bail, according to an online prison inmate locator maintained by the sheriff’s department. He is scheduled to appear in court for an Aug. 8 hearing.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.
