Two Men Facing Hate Crime Charges After Brawl

Posted
Warren Stratton and Troy Noe
(Volusia County Jail)

Edgewater, FL - Two men could face hate crime charges after a Mother's Day fight against a black male in an Edgewater bar.

Both 66-year-old Warren Stratton and his nephew, 52-year-old Troy Noe were originally arrested back on May 13th for battery.

But, court documents show that both men now face prejudice battery charges following a fight against a black male back on Mother's Day (May 12th).

According to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, the victim said that he was celebrating Mother's Day with his wife, who is white, at Tailgators Bar & Grille when he was approached by Stratton.

Stratton asked the victim if he was from Africa and if it was "Africa Day" because of his African American descent.

The victim told Stratton to keep moving and went about his business. Stratton then asked a second time, but still got the same response from the victim.

He continued to stand there, so the victim asked him if there was a problem to which Stratton responded, "I'm just looking for a piece of ass," in reference to the victim's wife, according to the report.

The victim then stood up and told Stratton to move along, before the two began to argue face to face.

As the two argued, witnesses tried to separate the two.

But, while they were separating Stratton and the victim, Noe sees the altercation and comes from around the corner of the bar and struck the victim and one of the witnesses in the face.

John Noe
(Volusia County Jail)

More witnesses came to separate the men from each other. But as they did, Noe's son, 20-year-old John Noe, made his way behind the victim and shoulder checked him twice after the fight was broken up.

As they were leaving, Stratton and Troy were heard by witnesses calling the victim's wife an "n-word lover" and that they'll "get him," also referring to the victim as an n-word.

The victim and his wife completed written statements and said they both felt the only reason the fight was started was because of his race.

The report says that witnesses told deputies that the couple was sitting at the bar minding their own business while Stratton continued to try and provoke an altercation.

Later on, deputies also reviewed the security camera footage, which showed the victim and his wife sitting at the bar when Stratton approached the couple, marking the start of the altercation.

According to VCSO, due to the totality of the investigation along with witnesses statements and surveillance, deputies determined that the three men targeted the victim because of his race.

Therefore, the three were charged with felony battery based on racial prejudice.

However, court documents show that John's charge has been reclassified as a misdemeanor battery without prejudice.