Charles Butler, 33, of Toledo, admitted in federal court today that he beat an African-American man on the street solely because of his race — a violent assault fueled by hate and captured in chilling social media posts afterward. The attack, which left the victim with a fractured eye socket and permanent damage to his right eye, unfolded in broad daylight and was only stopped when two off-duty state troopers intervened.
On May 18, 2016, Butler and Robert Paschalis drove past the victim, identified as A.W., while he was unloading his truck. They circled back, exited their vehicle, and launched a brutal assault, screaming racial slurs. Butler grabbed a broom from A.W.’s truck and struck him repeatedly. He admitted in court that he targeted A.W. because he is African American — a fact he later bragged about online, posting on Facebook that the attack was ‘in the name of the White Race.’
The assault ended only when two off-duty Ohio state police officers arrived at the scene and physically pulled Butler and Paschalis off the victim. A.W. was rushed to the hospital with an orbital fracture and lasting injury to his right eye. The trauma of the unprovoked attack has left deep physical and emotional scars, prosecutors said.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division condemned the attack: ‘Race-motivated violence violates the law and offends human decency. The Justice Department will always vigorously prosecute those who carry out violence against individuals because of the color of their skin — crimes which threaten the very fabric and core values of our country.’
U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon of the Northern District of Ohio emphasized that Northern Ohio thrives on diversity. ‘This defendant tried to strike at the diversity we cherish by participating in an unprovoked attack based solely on the victim’s race. He is now likely headed to prison, while we will continue to work together to ensure that everyone’s civil rights are protected.’
Paschalis has also been charged with a federal hate crime; his case remains pending. An indictment is merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The FBI Cleveland Division’s Toledo Resident Agency led the investigation, working with the Toledo Police Department and Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Freeman and Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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