Release Date: September 18, 2009

Contact:   

Karen L. Wold, Senior Deputy District Attorney

(805) 947-7960  

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Seth Taylor (DOB 7/28/74), a peace officer working for the California Highway Patrol, has pleaded guilty to three violations of Penal Code section 415(3), disturbing the peace by offensive language, and to one violation of Penal Code section 415(1), disturbing the peace by fighting. He also admitted special allegations that the offenses were hate crimes, within the meaning of Penal Code section 422.7(a). The crimes were investigated by the Oxnard Police Department and the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

The offenses occurred during two separate incidents in 2007. The first incident involved two Hispanic males at a bar in Ventura . In that matter, Taylor told the victims to "go back south of the border." A heated verbal exchange ensued, until Taylor put his thumb and forefinger in the shape of a gun, simulated pulling a trigger, and told the victim he was going to "put a cap" in him. This incident, previously not reported by the victims, was discovered during the investigation of the second hate crime.

The second incident, also involving two Hispanic males, occurred in December 2007 at the Marriott Residence Inn in Oxnard where the Squad Club of the California Highway Patrol and Clinicas Del Camino Real ("Clinicas") were holding their respective holiday parties. The two groups shared a common bar area. Clinicas employee Rudy Diaz approached a bar where Taylor was standing. Taylor asked Diaz, "Where are you from?" Diaz responded, "The United States of America." The conversation ultimately resulted in Taylor threatening Diaz physically and uttering racial slurs. Another Hispanic male, Steven Cruz, watched the incident. Taylor then approached Cruz, challenged him to fight, and yelled additional racial slurs.

Taylor has been ordered to serve three years probation, pay restitution to the victims, and pay a fine to the State Restitution Fund. He has also been ordered to do 50 hours of community service and to attend an eight-hour course offered by the Museum of Tolerance specifically geared toward those convicted of hate crimes.