SoHo Karen charged with hate crimes after falsely accusing Black teen of theft

Stay connected via Google News

Follow us for the latest updates from Unheard Voices

Miya Ponsetto’s legal troubles have intensified.

A grand jury indicted Ponsetto on charges of unlawful imprisonment as a hate crime, aggravated harassment, and endangering the welfare, according to The New York Post.

The 22-year-old was caught on video accusing Keyon Harrold Jr., 15 — the son of jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold — of swiping her cell phone and then trying to tackle him in the lobby of the Arlo Soho Hotel on Dec. 26.

Ponsetto’s lawyer Paul D’Emilia entered a plea of “not guilty” on her behalf during a video arraignment.

Her case isn’t eligibility for bail. Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Sarah Marquez asked that the judge continue the “highest level of supervised release” for Ponsetto.

D’Emilia blasted the indictment as “opportunistic” for Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance following the arraignment.

“Instead of helping to foster a civil and enlightened resolution to an unfortunate incident between two young people, DA Vance chose a craven and opportunistic path in indicting, with felony hate crime charges, Ms. Miya Ponsetto,” D’Emilia said in the statement.

“The charges alleged are a brazen and clear overreach of the intent of the statute. In sum, they are absurd, and a perversion of our legal system.”

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Laura Ward set Ponsetto’s next court date for Oct. 20, while warning that Ponsetto would likely have to appear in person in the future.

The Harrold family also filed a civil lawsuit against Ponsetto and the hotel back in May.