Woman who falsely accused Black teen of stealing phone charged with federal hate crime

[left-of-center2012]

The California woman who drew widespread scrutiny after she was seen in viral footage tackling a Black teenager she falsely accused of stealing her phone has been charged with a federal hate crime.

Miya Ponsetto, 22, was slapped charges including unlawful imprisonment as a hate crime, aggravated harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. She was arraigned in Manhattan on Wednesday, The Associated Press reports.

The charges stem from a December incident, in which Ponsetto was seen tackling Keyon Harrold Jr., the 14-year-old son of musician Keyon Harrold, at the Arlo SoHo boutique hotel in New York City.

Ponsetto was arrested in California days after the New York Police Department (NYPD) released surveillance footage of the incident in late December in an effort to locate the woman.

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/561085-woman-who-falsely-accused-black-teen-of-stealing-phone-charged

[niyad]

1. KNR

[Hortensis]

2. Good. Her attack on that poor boy was a crime.

Ms. Ponsetto is Puerto Rican and claimed her own Hispanic background as proof she did not racially profile him in her attack.

[ashredux]

4. B. S. On her claim

She is a criminal

[luckone]

3. GOOD! Let's hope the charge sticks

[twodogsbarking]

5. She can't shut up.

Good luck to her attorney.

[kiri]

7. She fled to avoid arrest

I saw an interview with her. She was smug, self-centered, and refused to apologize or even to express regret. She fled to avoid arrest and tried to hide.

[Sympthsical]

6. That's a shame

[Orrex]

8. lol

[Bleacher Creature]

9. This interview is flat out BONKERS.