Alleged 'Rock Thrower' Charged In Anti-Asian Hate Crime: OCDA

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — A Fullerton man who allegedly threw rocks at an Asian woman and her six-year-old son as they drove down a Fullerton street, hard enough to crack her windshield, has been charged with a hate crime, officials say.

Roger Janke, 28, of Fullerton, pleaded "not guilty" to charges. He faces six years in state prison and six months in Orange County jail if found guilty, officials say.

Janke is charged with one felony count of violation of civil rights, one felony count of vandalism, one misdemeanor count of throwing a substance at a vehicle, and one felony hate crime enhancement.

Janke faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison and six months in the Orange County Jail. He has pled not guilty.

He is currently being held on $51,500 bail at the Theo Lacy Facility.

On Wednesday, March 31, 2021, a 38-year-old woman was driving a Tesla with her six-year-old son in the vehicle near Hughes Drive and Bastanchury Road in Fullerton just after 1 p.m.

A suspect, believed to be Janke, hurled two rocks at the passing vehicle, damaging her bumper and cracking her windshield, according to reports.

The woman drove to a nearby park and called 911. Janke was identified in the event. He later told police that "Koreans in the area were trying to control him," according to reports.

“I refuse to tolerate hate in Orange County,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “A woman and her child should be able to drive down the street without worrying about being attacked because of the color of their skin."

Our commitment to continuing to prosecute hate crimes to the fullest extent of the law is sending a strong message to all the haters out there – there is no room for hate here – or anywhere.”

Deputy District Attorney Jake Jondle of Special Prosecutions is prosecuting this case.