Miya Ponsetto Arraigned On Felony Hate Crime Charges In SoHo Hotel Confrontation
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The woman accused of attacking a Black teenager who she falsely claimed stole her cell phone at a SoHo hotel was arraigned Wednesday on felony hate crimes charges.
Miya Ponsetto, 22, pleaded not guilty to charges, including second-degree unlawful imprisonment as a hate crime, along with child endangerment and aggravated harassment.
Video of the December incident at the Arlo Hotel shows Ponsetto berating and trying to tackle Keyon Harrold Jr., the son of jazz musician Keyon Harrold.
"The assistant district attorney showed that there were several people that came through the lobby. Only two Blacks and an Asian were stopped. Whites were passed by. She never accused them," Rev. Al Sharpton said.
Ponsetto's phone was later found in an Uber vehicle.