Robert Kevin Pressler, 54, was charged on May 4 with a hate crime for making white supremacist comments and throwing a cup at a Middle Eastern smoke shop manager in Anaheim.
The incident occurred on May 2, when Pressler was standing outside of the smoke shop, repeatedly yelling a phrase associated with white supremacy at the Middle Eastern store manager.
As the victim approached the front entrance of the store, the defendant is accused of walking toward him and throwing a full 32-ounce soda cup at him.
The cup hit the victim’s face, causing a small laceration and initiating an altercation between the two.
Pressure is further accused of possessing methamphetamine at the time of his arrest by the Anaheim Police Department.
Pressler’s charges are one felony count of battery—hate crime causing injury, and one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance.
The maximum sentence is seven years in state prison.
