Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion
Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion
Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion
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Man served charges for hate crime against Chico State student

The student was working his job as a local reporter when the man allegedly shouted racial slurs and destroyed the journalist’s camera
Byline photo of Anthony Vasek
Anthony Vasek, News Editor // September 9, 2025
Kiano Sen Saechao. Photo from the Butte County District Attorney’s Office

A man has been charged for a hate crime against local reporter and Chico State student Nathan Espindula.

Kiano Saechao, 23, was arraigned on Sept. 9 on a felony count of damaging property based on another person’s race.

Espindula is a reporter for Action News Now and The Orion.

He was reporting on a community event for Action News Now when Saechao began to shout slurs at him, according to the Butte County District Attorney’s Office.

Espindula moved into Action News Now’s company car and locked the doors, leaving his recording equipment behind as the situation escalated.

Saechao then allegedly knocked over Espindula’s camera — which belonged to Action News Now — and caused over $2,500 in damage.

Saechao left the scene before police arrived, according to the Butte County District Attorney’s Office. Espindula provided a video recording of the incident, and police were then able to locate and arrest Saechao.

Saechao will return to court on Sept. 11 where he will have an attorney and receive further arraignment. His bail is set at $25,000.

 

Anthony Vasek can be reached at [email protected] or [email protected].

About the Contributor
Anthony Vasek
Anthony Vasek, Reporter
Anthony Vasek was the news editor for Fall 2025. He’s a sophomore majoring in journalism who came to Chico from Humboldt County. He has been in newsrooms since he first wrote for his high school’s paper, The Pepperbox, and fell in love with reporting. Last year he had an eight-month internship with North State Public Radio, Chico’s local NPR station. He’s excited to chase stories and keep the campus informed.