Second Suspect Arrested in Hate Crime Assault

Detectives from the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Violent Crimes Investigations Unit made a second arrest today in the March 29th assault of a Sonoma Valley teen at El Verano School.

Arrested was Francisco Emeliano Serna, age 19, from Santa Rosa. He was booked into the Sonoma County jail for assault with force likely to cause serious injury, robbery, participation in a criminal street gang, and the hate crime statute. His bail was set at $475,000.

The arrest follows yesterday's announcement that a 17-year old juvenile was charged with similar crimes for the March 29 assault.

Following yesterday's arrest, the victim's mother, Kristin Land, said "We're extremely grateful to the police. Were' trying to cooperate with the police and sheriff to get these guys into custody."

She specifically singled out the Violent Crimes Unit, saying "I commend them for doing a great job - getting these people off the street and making the community safer."

The initial incident occurred late on March 29, but it wasn't until Land made an emotional plea to the Sonoma City Council meeting on April 1, four days later, that the investigation seemed to gain momentum.

"Was he the victim of a random act of violence, or a hate crime?” she asked rhetorically during the City Council's opening public comments.  “I don’t know. There was no investigation.”

Detectives are following-up on additional leads and are in the process of identifying the other suspects that may be involved in the case.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation should call the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Investigation unit at 707-565-2185. Please reference case #130402-020.