Florida Man Faces Hate Crime Charges After 'Racially Motivated' Attack: DOJ

GAINESVILLE, FL — A Florida man is facing federal hate crime charges after authorities said he carried out a racially motivated attack on a group of Black men surveying land in Cedar Key.

According to a six-count indictment released by a federal grand jury in Gainesville, David Emanuel, 61, is accused of using his car to intimidate a victim identified as F.D.D. because of his race and color.

Emanuel is also accused of using his car to intimidate five additional victims, authorities said. According to the indictment, all six victims were Black males who were surveying land owned by one of the victims when the attack occurred.

The attack took place on Sept. 6, authorities said. No additional information about the incident was released.

The FBI Jacksonville Field Office and Gainesville Resident Agency investigated the case with assistance from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, according to prosecutors.

The case will be prosecuted in the Northern District of Florida.