Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Zachary Cole Holman was charged Monday with attempted rape and harassment in Salt Lake City.
- He is accused of attacking a woman who was wearing a hijab, and prosecutors say it is a hate crime.
- Holman has a criminal history; police say the attack was unprovoked.
SALT LAKE CITY — A random assault of a woman wearing a hijab in Salt Lake City last week qualifies as a hate crime, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office says.
Zachary Cole Holman, 39, of South Salt Lake, was charged Monday in 3rd District Court with attempted rape, a first-degree felony; forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; and harassment, a class A misdemeanor. Each charge was filed with a hate crime penalty enhancement.
On Thursday, police were called to 120 W. 1300 South on a report of an assault. A woman told officers that she was walking along the street with her friend while holding her child's hand when Holman approached and threatened to sexually assault her, according to charging documents.
"Holman asked (the woman) why she was 'wearing those clothes' and then attempted to remove her hijab, an article of clothing (she) wears to observe her religious beliefs, numerous times. (The woman) said Holman then grabbed her breasts over the clothes and took her to the ground, causing them to fall into oncoming traffic," the charges state.
While on the ground, Holman "placed his hands around the victim's neck and applied pressure to the point that the victim nearly lost consciousness," a police booking affidavit states.
The woman's friend and other bystanders helped to get the woman away from Holman. Holman ran off after being separated from the woman, but was spotted the next day by police and arrested.
Salt Lake police say the assault was "unprovoked" and the woman was assaulted by a stranger while holding a small child's hand. The charges allege that Holman "intentionally selected the victim because of (Holman's) belief or perception regarding the victim's personal attribute of another individual or group of individuals with whom the victim has a relationship," as defined under Utah law for victim targeting.
Prosecutors say Holman has an extensive criminal history and was on probation at the time of the assault.
"This matter is still under investigation, which could result in additional charges," court documents say.
