San Francisco man charged in assault of Asian American woman had past hate crime charge dropped in plea deal

A man arrested in San Francisco last week on charges of assaulting an 88-year-old Asian American woman had hate crime charges against him dropped in 2021, the city’s district attorney’s office said.

A man arrested in San Francisco and accused of allegedly assaulting an 88-year-old Asian American woman had hate crime charges against him dropped in 2021, the city district attorney’s office said. 

Oakland resident James Lee Ramsey, 27, was taken into custody Friday for allegedly kicking the woman to the ground and assaulting her, the district attorney said in a statement. He is also accused of attacking a witness at the scene.

The woman was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Charges against Ramsey include several felonies: elder abuse, assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury and battery causing serious bodily injury, according to the DA. He is also charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly attacking the witness, as well as misdemeanor vandalism. He was not charged with a hate crime, but the DA said that could change because the investigation continues. 

Ramsey pleaded not guilty to all charges and is being held without bail, the DA said.