A US man has been charged with multiple hate crimes after he allegedly punched an elderly Asian woman more than 100 times earlier this year.
New York man Tammel Esco, 42, was indicted on charges including attempted murder in the second degree as a hate crime, assault in the first degree as a hate crime, and three counts of assault in the second degree as a hate crime, prosecutors outlined.
Esco was arraigned on the indictment on Tuesday (local time) and pleaded not guilty, a spokesperson for the Westchester District Attorney's office told CNN..
In a press release published on Wednesday, the City of Yonkers Police Department said Esco is being held without bail.
The 42-year-old was arrested in March after a 67-year-old Asian woman was violently assaulted inside the lobby of her building while unlocking a door.
CCTV surveillance footage showed Esco punching the woman, who is of Filipino descent, more than 100 times, as well as stomping on her, spitting at her and yelling offensive, racially charged slurs.
The victim was transported to the hospital and suffered brain bleeding, multiple facial fractures and bruising and lacerations.
According to NBC New York, Esco - who lived in the same building as the 67-year-old - has a criminal record and previously served time in jail for assault.
Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said an "intense investigation" led to the quick arrest of Esco and his eventual indictment, Insider reports.
"He will now have to face the justice system to answer for his actions as the courts hold him accountable for this violent crime," Sapienza said.
"The Yonkers Police Department does not tolerate violence in our city, especially not acts of violence rooted in bias."
