Home / Crime and Justice / NYC Men Charged in Racist Hate Crime Attack
NYC Men Charged in Racist Hate Crime Attack
27 Feb
Summary
- Two men arrested for racist and sexual assault.
- Assailant burned victim's boots with a lighter.
- Incident was live-streamed on social media.
Two individuals, Michael Santiago, 31, and Michael James, 33, were apprehended on February 27, 2026, for their alleged involvement in a hate crime. The incident, which took place on February 19, 2026, in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, was captured and live-streamed online.
During the encounter, one of the men approached a Black woman, made racist and sexual comments, and demanded she kiss his boots. He then used a lighter to burn the fur on her boots. The woman, who also filmed the event, reported the incident to the police.
Santiago and James were charged with multiple offenses, including criminal mischief, menacing, and attempted assault, all classified as hate crimes. They also face charges for harassment, criminal tampering, and arson. Their arraignments are pending, and it remains unclear if they have legal representation.
The video was posted under the social media handle ScrubsNYC, where the pair were known for trolling people. In a subsequent livestream, the men appeared to discuss the news coverage of the incident, with one stating he would change his appearance to avoid identification.
