A man in Foggy Bottom has been indicted on federal hate crime charges after attacking an individual for wearing a yarmulke. The Department of Justice announced the indictment accuses Walter James, 38, of assaulting the man on July 10 without provocation. The indictment alleges that during the assault, James yelled antisemitic slurs at the victim, who sustained cuts, abrasions, and swelling as a result of the attack.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, James could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The charges brought against him in D.C. Superior Court includes assault with significant injury with an additional hate crimes enhancement. Yelling slurs such as "You are murdering innocent men, women, and children in Gaza" and "You control us with money," James made his alleged bias clear.
U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves emphasized the seriousness of bias-related crimes, stating that prosecuting such offenses is essential for community safety. The Department of Justice also clarified that an indictment does not equal a conviction, and the accused individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The case, now under investigation by the FBI Washington Field Office, was initially handled locally. Resources and information about the Justice Department's efforts to combat hate crimes are available on their website.
