Alleged Attacker in Latest SI Hate Crime Indicted Today

The alleged  perpetrator of Staten Island's latest racially-provoked attack was indicted on four counts, including hate crimes charges, Friday afternoon.

Derrian Williams, 17, was charged as an adult for the assault on Sunday night where eighteen-year-old Christian Vazquez was attacked while returning home to Staten Island from his job as a bus boy in Manhattan.  Several young men beat Vazquez and stole $10 and some jewelry while calling him racial slurs. 

The other attackers -- there are up to four, according to the Staten Island District Attorney's office -- have not been apprehended.

“This indictment should send a clear message that there is no tolerance in this community for crimes committed out of bias or hatred," said Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan in a press release.  "We will not hesitate to seek an indictment under the hate crimes statute when substantiated by the facts and the law."

The most serious charge against Williams is Robbery in the 2nd degree as a hate crime; this carries a maximum penalty of up to 25 years in prison.  Williams, a native of Libya, has had his passport confiscated and is being held on $400,000 bail.

Contact Us