You may remember that this past October a staff member from the Santa Ana office of Equality California arrived at work one morning to find a noose hanging from the front door. Police initially shrugged off the incident but they've now arrested 45-year-old Marten Joseph Brandel and have charged him with a hate crime. KTLA reports:
Bertagna said DNA on the noose matched samples already in the state system from Brandel, a transient with previous arrests ranging from drug possession to assaulting an officer as well as other property crimes.
Gay rights activists said the arrest sends a "powerful message" against bigotry in the LGBT community.
"We thank the Santa Ana Police Department for making an arrest in this case," EQCA representative Vaishalee Raja said in a statement Saturday.
"Equality California will continue its work to open hearts and minds so that LGBT Californians one day enjoy freedom from the prejudice and hatred that can lead to violence."
Brandel allegedly admitted to the crime during questioning and is currently being held without bail.
Watch an ABC7 news report about the arrest, AFTER THE JUMP.
