Conrad Alvin Barrett, Hate Crime, Texas 2013

A Texas man has been charged with a federal hate crime for punching and breaking the jaw of a 79-year-old African American man, authorities announced.

Conrad Alvin Barrett, 27, of Katy, Texas, has been charged with one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, according to a criminal complaint filed under seal on December 24, 2013, and unsealed today upon Barrett’s arrest.

The complaint alleges that on November 24, 2013, Barrett attacked the elderly man because of his race and color, in what Barrett called a “knockout.” The “knockout game” is an assault in which an assailant aims to knock out an unsuspecting victim with one punch.

According to the complaint, Barrett allegedly recorded himself on his cell phone attacking the man and showed the video to others. The complaint alleges Barrett made several videos, one in which he identifies himself and another in which he makes a racial slur.

Barrett allegedly hit the man with such force that the man immediately fell to the ground. Barrett then laughed and said “knockout,” as he ran to his vehicle and fled, according to allegations. The complaint indicates the victim suffered two jaw fractures and was hospitalized for several days as a result of the attack.

“Hate crimes tear at the fabric of entire communities,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels. “As always, the Civil Rights Division will work with our federal and state law enforcement partners to ensure that hate crimes are identified and prosecuted, and that justice is done.”

If convicted, Barrett faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The investigation was conducted by the FBI in cooperation with the Fulshear and Katy, Texas, Police Departments as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Civil Rights Division Trial Attorneys Saeed Mody and Olimpia Michel and Assistant United States Attorneys Ruben R. Perez and Joe Magliolo in cooperation with Ft. Bend County District Attorney John Healey.

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