Troy Dale West Jr., 47, of Poulan, faces one count each of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and first-degree cruelty to children under the indictment filed in Clayton County Superior Court. He also faces two counts each of battery and disorderly conduct, which are misdemeanors.
West's lawyer, Larry King, declined comment.
Police allege that West screamed racial slurs as he kicked and punched Tashawnea Hill, in the presence of Hill's 7-year-old daughter, on Sept. 9 outside a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Morrow, about 15 miles south of Atlanta.
Police have said West became enraged when Hill told him to be careful after he nearly hit her daughter while opening a door. The cruelty to children charge was included because the daughter witnessed the beating.
West told police he became upset because Hill spit on him after accusing him of trying to hit her daughter, according to the police report. Several witnesses said they never saw Hill spit on West.
Jail records show West was booked into the Clayton County jail around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. He was being held without bond until he requests a bond hearing, District Attorney Tracy Graham Lawson said. An arraignment hearing will likely be conducted in October.
Federal authorities have said they were investigating the incident as a hate crime. An FBI spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment Wednesday.
Cracker Barrel issued a statement last week condemning the incident and banning West from ever visiting any of its establishments again.
Also scheduled Wednesday was a county magistrate's hearing requested by Hill's attorney on a motion to arrest West on felony charges. However, the grand jury action pre-empted that case.
More than 100 Hill supporters had gathered in the courthouse parking lot, singing songs and praying. After the indictment was read and the hearing adjourned, they cheered and many embraced Hill as she left.
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