Mystic Quality Inn Hate Crime Suspects Charged, Released On Bond

STONINGTON, CT — A white New York couple accused of attacking a Black motel clerk in Mystic were charged with hate crimes Monday.

Stonington police Capt. Todd Olson said investigators went to New York Monday to extradite Philip Sarner and Emily Orbay, who had been taken into custody in Brooklyn by U.S. Marshals earlier in the day.

The couple were booked and fingerprinted at the Pawcatuck police station and posted bail around 1 a.m.

Sarner was charged with second-degree assault, third-degree assault and intimidation based on bigotry and bias, the latter of which is Connecticut's hate crime statute. He was given a $75,000 bond and released.

Orbay was charged with two counts of third-degree assault and intimidation based on bigotry and bias. She was given a $50,000 bond and released.

Chrystal Caldwell, 59, of Groton, said she was working at the front desk when Sarner called to tell her the hot water in his room wasn't working. He then threatened her, saying his girlfriend would "kick her ass," she said.

Caldwell and witnesses said Sarner and Orbay yelled racial slurs during the attack.

The town has hired an independent investigator to review police handling of the case.

>>>>>>Read more about the case, listen to 911 calls from the day of the attack, and learn more about Sarner's arrest history here.