Suspect in two attacks on Hispanics sentenced to 23 years in prison for assault

A suspect with a proven history of homelessness and an impressive list of previous arrests, including robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, drug trafficking, exhibitionism and sexual abuse, has been found guilty of three counts of assault, among others, for attacking men of Latino descent in Santa Monica last year.

On August 20, 2023, officers with the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) responded to an assault with a deadly weapon in the 3100 block of Main Street. Officers found an assault victim with head injuries. According to SMPD, the victim, a Hispanic man, was attacked from behind when the suspect struck him violently in the back of the head with a large wooden stick. The attack was unprovoked and the victim did not see the suspect. The victim suffered a large laceration to the head and required stitches behind the ear. Fortunately, officers were able to find surveillance video that captured the incident.

Then, on August 22, 2023, SMPD officers found another victim, also a Hispanic male, in the 1400 block of Palisades Park, where an attempted assault with a deadly weapon occurred. The victim, a maintenance worker for the City of Santa Monica, stated the suspect walked directly toward him and attempted to punch the victim in the face. The suspect then threw a glass bottle toward the victim's face, but missed.

SMPD detectives assigned to this investigation found that the suspect description was similar in both cases. They were able to identify Kevin Mumin, 37, of Los Angeles (currently homeless) as the suspect in both cases. In addition, investigators found a Los Angeles Police Department (LSPD) bulletin on Mumin for hate crimes in their jurisdiction due to his practice of specifically targeting and attacking Hispanics.

On August 23, 2023, Mumin was arrested by the LAPD on multiple counts of aggravated assault (separate cases) with hate crime charges. SMPD detectives filed the Santa Monica cases along with the incidents with the LAPD.

At a trial earlier this month, Mumin was found guilty of three counts of assault with a deadly weapon. [245(a)(1) PC] with improvements for serious bodily harm [12022.7(a) PC] and hate crimes [422.75(a) PC]He was also convicted of sexual assault. [243.4(a) PC] due to one of the incidents in Los Angeles. On August 21, 2024, Mumin was sentenced to 23 years and eight months in prison.

Mumin has previously been arrested for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, criminal threats, drug trafficking, solicitation of sex, exhibitionism and sexual assault.

Anyone with additional information regarding this individual or the investigation is asked to contact Det. Brian Spencer at (310) 458-8420 or Sgt. Shaun Cooney at (310) 458-8436.

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