SANTA ANA (CNS)—A Stanton man with prior strike convictions for assault with a deadly weapon and burglary pleaded guilty Jan. 20 to a hate crime attack in Westminster and was immediately sentenced to a year in jail.
The year-long sentence was a stark contrast from the punishment he initially faced. When prosecutors filed charges they said Robargae could have faced up to 38 years to life in prison if convicted at trial, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
But as part of a plea deal, several of his charged—including felony count of assault with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor count of vandalism—were dismissed, along with a hate crime sentencing enhancement.
Christopher Robargae, 34, pleaded guilty to a single felony count of a violation of civil rights with violent injury.
Robargae attacked the victim June 30 at a park in Westminster while the man was playing basketball with his cousins, prosecutors said. Robargae used a slur for Black people and then attempted to punch the victim, prosecutors said.
As the man and his cousins left the basketball court and were trying to drive away, Robargae smashed the driver’s window with a hatchet, prosecutors said.
Robargae, who has been in custody since June 30, was also placed on two years of probation.
