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SLO man facing hate crime charges after racist, homophobic outburst

March 24, 2021

John Lentz

By KAREN VELIE

A 26-year-old San Luis Obispo man is facing a hate crime charge after he allegedly spit in the face of an Asian, gay police officer while yelling racial and homophobic slurs, according to court records.

John Lentz also faces charges of battery on a police officer, resisting an officer and drunk in public. Lentz was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday.

On March 19, Lentz’ father called 911 to report his son had a gun and was threatening to harm himself and anyone who tried to stop him. Officers arrived at the San Luis Obispo home and decided to transport Lentz to a mental health facility for evaluation.

Lentz then became aggressive, attempting to pull away while challenging the officers to a fight. In the police cruiser, Lentz began smashing his head against a window.

Officer John Stevens pulled over and attempted to assist Lentz, who spit in his face while saying he had COVID-19.

At the hospital, Lentz began ripping “cords” from his body and slamming hospital equipment while yelling racial and homophobic slurs at Stevens. Lentz again spit on Steven’s face saying he wanted to f**k him up.


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Um, this is a day in the life of a law officer. I am not homosexual but I cannot count the number of times I was called a homosexual when I was in law enforcement. Does this also mean female officers could file hate crimes when someone calls them a nasty b*tch? Being as lame brain was being transported for mental issues, he by nature was not in his right mind and not responsible for his actions,


15

This is irresponsible reporting and media sensationalism. This man has mental health issues and was attempting suicide. He did not set out to harm anyone. He was in his home. The officers came into his home and attempted to take him to get mental health treatment.


He has a history dysphoria mania which leads him to abuse alcohol to cope when it goes untreated. History of alcoholic hallucinosis in this state causes people to say and do things they would not normally do. They fear people are doing things to harm then, with that becoming a reality for him by getting a “ride” to the hospital. His fear was realized and people psychosis tend to fight back. He did not leave his home to set out and harm anyone. In his mind, harm came to him.


I can guarantee you he has no recollection of events that occurred. This was just an attempt to get help that went terribly wrong. And I can double guarantee you he is not racist against Asians as he is half Asian Pacific Islander. A whole have of his family are Asian Pacific Islanders. I see you did not bother to report his middle name. That would have been the first clue. Also, how would he know the officer is gay?


When will mental illness crisis situations be taken seriously? What if this was your friend or loved one? Report the story as is, fine. But maybe leave out the name and photo in these situations when someone is threatening or attempted suicide and screaming for help.


I know there are many in this town who also know him well. Hopefully he can get the help and support he is seeking.


43

This is a mentally disturbed, out of control, likely unmedicated individual. Why waste time on insane behavior from a mentally ill person, except to highlight the crap our LEO’s have to endure daily. This is not a cold blooded. calculated hate crime. Crazy folks doing crazy things.


19

Why is this even a story? A drunk and mentally ill male adult who lives with his parents acting out?


10

mom and dad must be so proud of their 26 year old winner!!!


-34

Another one of San Luis Obispo’s finest. It sure sounds like he needs some help.


0

Presumably he was shouting racial slurs based on the officer’s appearance. How did he know to shout homophobic slurs? Which also makes me wonder what happens if one gets the slurs wrong – do they still get charged?


28

Just for info. the hate crime statute does not apply to an on duty officer regardless of his ethnicity or sexual orientation. Assault and battery on an officer and perhaps criminal threats would apply.


59

wait, wait, wait. a man obviously seemingly having a mental crisis and the story he’s being charged with hate crimes? doesn’t sound like he started doing so until the LEO arrived (not before) – sounds like the outburst would have been directed at whomever showed up. lets focus on getting him help and not charging with him crimes.


and how the heck did he know the officer was a gay, asian man?


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