Two Men Deny OC Hate Crime Charges

Santa Ana - Two 19-year-olds from Rancho Santa Margarita accused of yelling anti-Semitic slurs while mugging a man in a Coto de Caza park pleaded not guilty today.

Matthew Gregory Branstetter and Nolan John Wickham are charged with a felony count each of aggravated assault and second-degree robbery with sentencing enhancement allegations of committing a hate crime with others and causing great bodily injury.

A third suspect remains at large.

About 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, the three allegedly approached the 23-year-old victim in a youth sports park at Via Pajaro and Vista del Verde, according to prosecutors. The victim was eating alone at a picnic table.

The victim recognized one of the men, which led to the arrests, according to Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino.

The three men demanded money from the victim, but when he said he didn't have anything to give them, they yelled anti-Semitic slurs and then kicked and beat him, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

The robbers took the victim's cellphone and jacket, prosecutors said.

The victim fell in and out of consciousness during the attack, but when he awoke after the suspects ran away he managed to get back to his home nearby, according to prosecutors.

The victim was rushed to Mission Hospital where he was treated for a concussion, broken jaw, eye socket fracture, broken nose, cracked ribs, and cuts and bruises, according to prosecutors.

Branstetter and Wickham face up to 13 years in prison if convicted. They are next due in court April 18.