Texas Man, 27, Charged With Federal Hate Crime For "Knockout Game" Attack On 79-Year-Old Victim Share 
 
 Tweet 
 
 
 
 The Texas man charged with a federal hate crime for an alleged “knockout game” attack on a 79-year-old black victim was identified by police after he showed video of the assault to a stranger in a restaurant--a man who turned out to be an off-duty arson investigator who immediately flagged down a cop to report the brutal crime. According to the complaint, Barrett in the video says that “the plan is to see if I were to hit a black person, would this be nationally televised?” 
 
 “Suspected crimes of this nature will simply not be tolerated,” U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District of Texas said in a prepared statement. “Evidence of hate crimes will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted with the assistance of all our partners to the fullest extent of the law.” 
 
 The criminal complaint was filed under seal Dec. 24, 2013, and unsealed Thursday upon Barrett’s arrest. A federal criminal complaint accuses Conrad Alvin Barrett, 27, of punching the elderly man in the head on November 24 (the blow left the victim with two jaw fractures and cost him three teeth). Hate Crimes Prevention Act when he allegedly attacked the elderly man on Nov. 24. Barrett’s phone, which was seized by police after the tip from the arson investigator, contained several incriminating videos, including a clip showing him approaching an “elderly African American man” and asking, “How’s it going, man?” As he gets closer to the victim, “a loud smack is heard, and the victim falls to the ground,” reported Tribble, who added, “Barrett laughs, says 'knockout,' and then flees in his vehicle.” 
 
 Other videos on Barrett’s phone appear to show him plotting a “knockout” attack. “As always, the Civil Rights Division will work with our federal and state law enforcement partners to ensure that hate crimes are identified and prosecuted, and that justice is done.” 
 
 Barrett allegedly recorded himself on his cell phone attacking the elderly man and showed the video to others. The complaint alleges Barrett made several videos, one in which he identifies himself and another in which he makes a racial slur. Another video shows Barrett driving around a mall parking lot, saying that he was trying to work up the “courage” to play the “knockout game.” At one point, Barrett remarks that he had “found the perfect African American suspect,” but he then apparently changes his mind about attacking the target. According to the complaint, Barrett comments in a video that “the plan is to see if I were to hit a black person, would this be nationally televised?” The complaint further alleges Barrett claims he would not hit “defenseless people” just moments before punching the elderly man in the face. Barrett allegedly hit the man with such force that the man immediately fell to the ground. Barrett then laughed and said “knockout,” as he ran to his vehicle and fled, according to allegations. The victim sustained two jaw fractures and was hospitalized for several days as a result of the attack, according to the Justice Department. "It is unimaginable in this day and age that one could be drawn to violently attack another based on the color of their skin," said the FBI's Stephen L. Morris, special agent in charge of the Houston division. “We remind all citizens we are protected under the law from such racially-motivated attacks, and encourage everyone to report such crimes to the FBI.” 
 
 If convicted, Barrett faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
– Conrad Barrett wanted to get national exposure for taking part in the "knockout game," say prosecutors. The 27-year-old from Katy, Texas, succeeded in that much at least, as authorities have charged him with a federal hate crime, reports KHOU. Barrett, who is white, punched a 79-year-old black man in the jaw so hard that the man suffered two fractures and spent several days in the hospital, alleges the Justice Department. Prosecutors say Barrett recorded the assault on video, and the footage shows him laughing after the punch, saying "knockout," and running to his car, reports the LA Times. "The plan is to see if I were to hit a black person, would this be nationally televised?” Barrett reportedly says on an earlier video. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted, notes the Smoking Gun. The knockout game generally involves teens punching innocent passersby, but there's much dispute over how widespread the assaults actually are. Some critics say the "trend" is more myth than reality—and,a convenient way to demonize black teenagers. The Texas case suggests the publicity is at least spawning copycat incidents.