The attorney for one of the men charged with kidnapping and branding a swastika onto a mentally disabled Navajo man said his client likely will face federal kidnapping and hate crime charges.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office sent defense attorney Cosme Ripol a letter dated June 29 that said 26-year-old Paul Beebe can be charged with a hate crime if a federal grand jury finds Beebe assaulted the man because of his race and/or disability.
Beebe, 24-year-old Jess Sanford and 28-year-old William Hatch are accused of kidnapping and branding a swastika onto the young man on April 30.
The San Juan County District Attorney’s Office has it said plans to seek hate crime charges against the three suspects.
Beebe remains locked up at San Juan Adult Detention Center.
KOB
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