LYNN — A 61-year-old Lynn woman pleaded guilty in Lynn District Court Tuesday to nearly running down three Black women and their five children and shouting racial slurs at them last year in a Swampscott parking lot.
Rhonda Wozniak pleaded guilty to eight counts each of a civil-rights violation and assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with the incident, which occurred outside of The Cookie Monstah, a dessert shop on Paradise Road, on July 28, 2020.
District Court Judge Jean Curran sentenced Wozniak to nine months of probation, during which time she must complete 40 hours of community service, stay away from and have no contact with the victims, and seek or maintain employment, the Essex County District’s Attorney’s office said.
Essex Assistant District Attorney Jenn Capone had recommended that the court find Wozniak guilty, which would result in a year of probation and 100 hours of community service. The defense had requested that the case be continued without a finding for six months.
“The defendant’s actions were harmful and offensive, not only to the victims, but also to the community at large,” said Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett. “I am thankful to the Swampscott Police and my staff, who ensured that the victims were heard and that the defendant was held accountable for her criminal behavior.”
Wozniak was represented by attorneys Doug Ryan and Joe Simons, of the Salem-based law firm, Simons Law Office.
“Attorney Doug Ryan and I worked with Ms. Wozniak for several months, investigating and preparing the case for trial,” said Simons. “She ultimately decided to plead guilty, and in exchange was sentenced to probation. The decision was from a judge who heard from both sides and ultimately came down somewhere in the middle — somewhere between our recommendation and the prosecution’s recommendation.”
On the evening of July 28, 2020, three Black women — Ebony White, Starr High, and Shawana Satterwhite — and their five young children were returning to their cars after visiting The Cookie Monstah when Wozniak, who is white, suddenly came speeding toward them in her vehicle, nearly hitting them in the process, according to the DA’s office.
When one of the women asked Wozniak to slow down, she reportedly shouted racial insults and slurs at them, and told them to go back to where they belong. This prompted one of the children to ask their mother “where do we belong?”
The three adult victims had provided statements to the court outlining the crime’s impact on them and their children, who ranged from 5-12 years old at the time of the incident, the DA’s office said.
The Swampscott Police Department conducted an investigation and were able to identify Wozniak through the license plate of her motor vehicle that was captured on film by one of the victims (Satterwhite) and surveillance video from a nearby store.
