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Two men are facing a slew of charges, including those with hate crime enhancements, following their harassment of a woman on a New York City street, culminating in an attempt to set her boots on fire.
The troubling incident occurred on February 19 and was broadcast live by the perpetrators, Michael Santiago, 31, and Michael James, 33. The New York Times reported that the pair streamed the confrontation online, revealing their identities to the public.
Operating under the moniker ScrubsNYC, James frequently uploads videos to YouTube and other social media platforms, showcasing their disruptive antics across New York City. Their online archive includes clips of them being ejected from local bodegas and harassing a school crossing guard.
The February 19 encounter unfolded in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood when the duo approached a 54-year-old Black woman. One of the men, wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat, demanded a kiss from the woman. Upon her refusal, the man—identified as Michael James—became aggressive, launching into a tirade of racial slurs. During the confrontation, he made offensive remarks, stating a desire to have sex with a “slave,” and shockingly declared, “You’re my slave.”
According to a New York Police Department news release, “One of the individuals engaged the victim in conversation and leaned in to kiss her. The victim pushed him away, after which the individual proceeded to make anti-Black statements toward her.”
Then, James asks to kiss the woman’s boots, and she allows it. But when he kneels to the sidewalk, he pulls out a light and tries to light the fuzzy boots.
Santiago is filming the encounter, police said — and the woman also filmed it.
After the incident, the victim reported it to police, who put out images and asked for help identifying the two men. Multiple tips led to their arrest on Thursday.
Both men have been charged with criminal mischief, menacing, and attempted assault with hate crimes enhancements, and harassment, criminal tampering, and arson.