Southern California Man Charged With Hate Crime After Defacing Latina Mural With Graffiti

A Dana Point man has been charged with a hate crime after a local mural honoring Latina women was vandalized with racial obscenities, The Orange County District Attorney's Office said on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

The local mural "Las Poderosas," which was made in 2020 to commemorate eight strong Latina women, was vandalized, prompting the Costa Mesa Police Department to react to the 3000 block of Killybrooke near Baker Street last Oct, said press release. Apparently, a man was seen by witnesses spray painting references to white supremacy on the artwork, according to a press statement from the district attorney. The suspect was eventually revealed by police to be a 27-year-old Dana Point, Daniel Alec Hotte. The mural was created two years earlier by an all-female crew led by artist Alicia Rojas.

"Art is one of the many beautiful ways we tell the story of who we are and where we came from," the District Attorney’s Office release said. "It is heartbreaking to see the stories of such powerful women who overcame incredible obstacles to succeed be defaced with such hate."

"Vandalism crimes like this can often go unsolved," Police Chief Ron Lawrence said. "I commend the quick action of the witnesses to capture evidence of the incident and the great police work of the Costa Mesa Police Department that solved this case."

Officials from Costa Mesa also expressed gratitude to the witnesses and decried the vandalism, reports ktla.

"Costa Mesa is a great city known for its inclusivity. We celebrate our diversity and are proud of our various backgrounds," said Mayor John Stephens. "This type of crime flies in the face of what we have achieved as a multi-cultural community. I’m grateful for the witnesses who came forward to help identify him and thankful the police stayed on the case and captured the suspect."

The suspect was arrested on Monday by the Costa Mesa Police Department at the Harbor Justice Center after he appeared for an unrelated case. He is facing one felony charge of vandalism with a felony enhancement of a hate crime. The case will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Cliff Page of the Gangs/TARGET Unit, said reports.

"I represent a community rich in culture," added Councilmember Loren Gameros. "This suspect came from another city into Costa Mesa to commit this crime and hurt the identity of some of our neighbors. That is unacceptable and now he will have to face justice."

Any witnesses who haven't yet talked with the police about their statement are urged to contact Sgt. Matt Selinske at 714-754-5093 or Investigator Eric Molina at 714-754-5694, press release.