Plano, TX — Esmeralda Upton, a Plano resident, has pleaded guilty to hate crime charges following a widely publicized racist tirade against a group of Indian American women.
The incident, which occurred in August 2022, was also captured on video and went viral, sparking outrage and calls for justice. On the evening of August 24, 2022, Anamika Chatterjee and her friends were enjoying a night out at Sixty Vines, a restaurant in Plano.
As they walked to their cars, they were confronted by Upton, who unleashed a barrage of racial slurs and physical threats.
Upton shouted hateful remarks such as "I hate you f*cking Indians" and "Go back to India," and even threatened to shoot the women.
The disturbing confrontation was captured on video by the victims and played a crucial role in the subsequent legal proceedings. The footage showed Upton not only verbally abusing the women but also physically assaulting them and making terroristic threats.
Despite initially claiming she was being provoked, Upton's actions were documented, leading to her arrest the next day on charges of assault and making terroristic threats.
In June 2024, Upton pleaded guilty to the charges, which included hate crime enhancements. She was sentenced to 40 days in jail, to be served on weekends, and was required to begin her sentence on July 19.
The plea deal was reached between Upton's legal team and the Collin County District Attorney's Office. Despite the guilty plea, Upton did not express any remorse or apologize for her actions in court, which Chatterjee's attorney, Subodh Chandra, highlighted as a lack of remorse.
Chatterjee and her friends have also filed civil lawsuits against Upton, seeking damages for the emotional and physical distress caused by the attack.
Chatterjee, who has been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of the incident, spoke in court about the lasting impact of the attack on her life, emphasizing the constant fear and anxiety she now experiences for herself and her family.
The incident and Upton's subsequent conviction have underscored the ongoing issue of hate crimes in the United States, particularly against minority communities.
It also highlights the importance of legal accountability and the crucial role of social media in bringing such incidents to light.