SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was sentenced today to a court offer of 60 days in jail for hate crimes after threatening to kill Persian hookah lounge customers in Lake Forest.

Circumstances of the Case

• On Sept. 15, 2017, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Carruthers walked into BluFig Hookah Lounge in Lake Forest and acted aggressively toward the patrons, who were mainly of Persian descent.
• An employee asked the defendant to leave and Carruthers reentered multiple times.
• Carruthers threatened to kill individuals at the Lounge after exhibiting intimidating and aggressive behavior.
• A patron of the Lounge called 911 and the Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) responded to the scene.
• Carruthers ran from deputies down Lake Forest Drive before surrendering. The defendant had visible tattoos of symbols associated with white supremacy.

OCSD investigated this case.

Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Nichols, Special Prosecutions Unit

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 17HF1253 / October 6, 2017