A Brooklyn man seen on video verbally assaulting an Asian American police officer in New York with racial slurs is under arrest on federal charges.
The New York Daily News reports federal authorities arrested Shermaine Laster, 45, on charges of a felon being in possession of a weapon and lying about his criminal history while at a shooting range in Texas.
“The defendant has a history of illegally possessing firearms. He has a history of assaulting and threatening people. And he has a history of resisting court orders,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Navarro at a hearing Friday in Brooklyn Federal Court.
Earlier this month, Laster was seen on video repeatedly calling NYPD Officer Philip Huynh a ch*nk.
“What’s your name? You’re not even from this country. You piece of s–t. You f–king ch–k,” he could be heard saying, reported the New York Post.
According to the Post, Laster is accused of posting photos of guns on Instagram, including one showing himself with a gun at a shooting range in Texas. Authorities say another showed him with a handgun at home with the caption “I’m ready for war.”
Another photo with multiple guns had the caption “No games!!! Proud boys, KKK, skin heads, whitesupremacy I’m not playing absolutely NO GAMES with your kind!! I just wishMY ppl wake up and unify before it’s too late. (Black toys) good to fight in the dark!!.”
Laster has 13 prior arrests, including four on weapon charges.
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