SAN FRANCISCO - Two men were facing hate crime and additional charges in connection with an attack on a transgender woman in San Francisco earlier this month, police said Friday.
Lionel Jackson and Maurice Perry remained in custody after being arrested shortly after they allegedly attacked the woman around 10 p.m. on April 1, said San Francisco Police Sgt. Michael Andraychak.
The two suspects allegedly punched and kicked the 20-year-old woman after trying to take her cell phone as she sat on bench in the city's Mission District.
"She sat down to use her cell phone and the suspects approached her," Andraychak said. "The first suspect stole her phone. When she demanded her phone back she was attacked," he said.
When witnesses called police, several officers responding to the calls detained the two suspects a short distance away.
Jackson and Perry were identified as the attackers by several witnesses, according to Andraychak. The alleged victim, while being treated in a hospital for her injuries, also identified the men as her attackers, he said.
One witness, Alexandra Byelry, said one of the two suspects said that he "hated men who dressed up as women" before punching the woman. She described the attack as "violent"
Jackson, 32, is being held on a parole hold, while Perry, 37, was being held on a probation hold, Andraychak said. He did know if the men had entered pleas yet, or if they had retained attorneys.
Jackson had previously served time in prison on narcotics charges, while Perry had served time in jail on narcotics charges, according to Andraychak. He did not know how long the two men had served behind bars, or when they had been released.
The woman, who suffered cuts and bruises, was treated at a hospital and released. She has requested that police not release her name.
Besides the hate crime enhancements, Jackson and Perry are also facing robbery, conspiracy and aggravated assault charges, Andraychak said.
The additional hate crime enhancements mean both men could serve up to an additional three years in prison, if convicted, according to Andraychak.
A call to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office seeking additional details was not immediately returned.
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: