Moreauville man charged with 'hate crime' in row with neighbor

A man who allegedly struck a juvenile girl while uttering racial slurs was charged with battery and "hate crimes," the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff's Office reported.

Donnie Rico, 48, of Moreauville was arrested May 5, a few days after deputies went to Rico Road outside of the town in response to a report of a "large fight in the roadway" on May 1, an APSO spokesman said. Deputies investigating the disturbance received evidence that Rico "allegedly made ethnic/racial slurs and disparaging comments to some people at a party next door, which led to a fight between several people," APSO Criminal Investigation Unit commander Tim Ryan said.

During the fight, Rico allegedly struck a juvenile female while making ethnic/racial slurs.

12th Judicial District Judge William Bennett issued the arrest warrant for simple battery and hate crimes and Rico was picked up and booked in to Avoyelles Detention Center #1. He was released the same day on $20,000 bond.