LOS ANGELES, California — A 21-year-old man has been charged with a felony hate crime for allegedly attacking a Jewish resident of West Los Angeles last month.
Semaj De Leone James, age 21, of South Los Angeles, was charged with one felony count of violation of civil rights by force, according to a press release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The incident occurred on April 27, 2026, when James allegedly followed the victim in a van and attacked him without provocation as he walked home from a synagogue.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating, “Attacking someone because of their faith is not just a crime against one person, it’s an assault on our community.”…