A Diamond Bar man who drove his car into a crowd at a "Stop Asian Hate" rally last year has been sentenced to one year behind bars, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Steve Lee Dominguez, 58, received his sentence from U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II for his actions during the demonstration that aimed to draw attention to the surge in hate crimes against Asian Americans.
Dominguez had pled guilty in October to a count of bias-motivated interference with federally protected activities after he was caught on camera shouting racial slurs and driving dangerously through a crowd of protesters in an incident stemming from a March 2021 rally in Diamond Bar, "Go back to China!" were among the insults hurled by Dominguez at the peaceful demonstrators, specifically targeting Asian members of the community, including women and children, no one was injured in the event, though a close call with a young child was noted.
United States Attorney Martin Estrada condemned the act as an assault on civil rights, "This defendant’s hateful attack was designed to curtail the rights of peaceful demonstrators," Estrada's office is dedicated to preserving such rights and holding those who impede them accountable; similarly, Mehtab Syed Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office emphasized their commitment to ensuring that "Constitutionally-protected rights are not violated," as shared in the official statement.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna also reiterated the importance of safeguarding constitutional rights, affirming that the Sheriff’s Department will relentlessly protect communities from violence or intimidation while they exercise their civil liberties, the Diamond Bar rally was held to bring awareness following the tragic murders of six Asian American women in Atlanta, and saw demonstrators lawfully crossing streets when Dominguez carried out his dangerous maneuver, and then he made a false police report alleging that the rally participants were the ones inciting trouble.
The FBI led the investigation into Dominguez's actions with assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Frances S. Lewis of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section and Suria M. Bahadue of the Criminal Appeals Section. For those seeking to report hate crimes, they are encouraged to contact the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office or tip off via their online portal.
