A homeless man with already impressive list of prior arrests, including, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, narcotics sales, indecent exposure and sexual battery, has been found guilty on, among other things, three counts of assault for attacks on Hispanic men in Santa Monica last year.
On August 20, 2023, officers from the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) responded to the 3100 block of Main Street for an assault with a deadly weapon investigation. Officers located an assault victim with head injuries. According to the SMPD, the victim, a Hispanic male, was attacked from behind as the suspect violently struck him with a large wooden stick on the back of his head. The assault was unprovoked and the victim did not see the suspect. The victim sustained a large laceration to his head and required stitches behind his ear. Fortunately, officers were able to locate surveillance video that captured the incident.
Then, on August 22, 2023, SMPD officers in the 1400 block of Palisades Park located another victim, also a Hispanic male, of an attempted assault with a deadly weapon. The victim, a City of Santa Monica Maintenance employee, stated the suspect walked directly towards him and attempted to punch the victim in the face. The suspect then threw a glass bottle towards the victim’s face, but missed.
Detectives from the SMPD assigned to these investigations found the suspect description was similar in both incidents. They were able to identify Kevin Mumin (37) of Los Angeles (currently homeless) as the suspect in both incidents. Additionally, detectives located a Los Angeles Police Department (LSPD) bulletin on Mumin for hate crimes in their jurisdictions, as he specifically targeted and attacked Hispanics.
On August 23rd, 2023, Mumin was arrested by LAPD for multiple felony assaults (separate cases) with hate crime allegations. SMPD detectives filed the Santa Monica cases jointly with the LAPD incidents.
At trial earlier this month, Mumin was found guilty of three counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon [245(a)(1) PC] with enhancements for Great Bodily Injury [12022.7(a) PC] and Hate Crime [422.75(a) PC]. He was also convicted for one count of felony sexual battery [243.4(a) PC] stemming from one of the Los Angeles incidents. On August 21, 2024, Mumin was sentenced to 23 years and eight months in state prison.
Mumin has prior arrests for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, criminal threats, narcotics sales, solicitation, indecent exposure, sexual battery and battery.
Anyone with additional information about this individual or investigation, please contact Det. Brian Spencer at (310) 458-8420 or Sgt. Shaun Cooney at (310) 458-8436.
scott.snowden@smdp.com