Irvine Man Charged with Felony Hate Crimes Against Hispanic Men

Robert Tackett, a 54-year-old man from Irvine, faces multiple felony hate crime charges after two separate incidents targeting Hispanic men on July 22, 2025. In the first event, Tackett allegedly threw hot coffee at a driver while yelling racial slurs and attempted to run him off the road, actions captured on video and shared on social media. Later that day, Tackett reportedly punched a 72-year-old Hispanic man through his truck window while continuing to use racial slurs. He was arrested by authorities two days later and is currently held on $500,000 bail, facing up to eight years in state prison if convicted. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the attacks as assaults on the community’s fabric and emphasized the importance of standing against hate. The cases are being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Alex Shaaban, highlighting a strong stance against hate-motivated violence in the region.