A California woman has pleaded guilty to a hate crime after falsely accusing a black teenager of stealing her cell phone and attacking him at a New York hotel.
If she follows the terms, she will be allowed to lower her plea to a misdemeanor aggravated harassment charge. She could face up to four years in prison if she does not comply.
A California woman who wrongly accused a Black teen of taking her phone at a New York City hotel, grabbing at him as he tried to leave, has reached a plea deal that spares her from prison if she avoids trouble.
Ponsetto attacked 14-year old Keyon Harrold, Jr. and his father in the lobby of the Arlo Hotel in Manhattan in December 2020, falsely accusing the teen of stealing her iPhone.