A Woodland Hills man who used violence, racial slurs and an axe to intimidate street vendors has been ordered to pay two victims a total of more than $2.8 million.
On Wednesday, a jury found Daniel McGuire guilty of assault, battery and committing an act of violence, among other crimes, against vendors Jonathan Alvarez and Thomas Leocadio, who relied on fruit stands as their only source of income.
Attorney Cristian Contreras wrote in court documents that McGuire’s “reign of terror” took place from February to August 2022. During that time, McGuire repeatedly harassed vendors working at the intersection of Canoga Avenue and Dumetz Road in Woodland Hills, the complaint states.
In March of that year, McGwire published and distributed a racist manifesto around the neighborhood, describing fruit vendors as “sub-American illegal aliens,” “hardened criminals,” and “cockroaches that should be thrown into the mud.”
That same month, McGwire “terrorized” Leocadio with racist and vulgar language, prompting the vendor to remove his stand from the intersection, the complaint says.
In August, McGuire was caught on camera. destroying the fruit of Alvarez with an axe.
In May 2022, local residents held a small demonstration in support of street vendors. Video taken from the event McGwire appeared to be yelling at protesters and spraying them with a garden hose.
In a statement sent to Fox 11 on Wednesday, attorneys for the plaintiffs praised the jury’s verdict for sending a message that Los Angeles will not tolerate hate and violence against street vendors.
“This is an important ruling on street vendors that reflects the communities’ support for street vendors and rejection of racism, intolerance and hatred against street vendors,” the statement said.
A civil jury trial held in Van Nuys Eastern District Court found McGuire guilty of assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. He was also found to have violated the Ralph and Bane Acts, two California civil rights laws that provide protection against hate, violence and intimidation.
Alvarez is entitled to approximately $1.57 million in damages and Leocadio is entitled to approximately $1.27 million in damages, according to the jury’s decision.
