WEST DEER TWP, Allegheny County — Prosecutors on Wednesday withdrew all charges against a Butler native accused of participating in an assault on a Hispanic man in New Kensington on May 10, saying they could not locate the alleged victim.

The case, which had been classified as a hate crime, centered on Hope A. Gorham, 31, and George Palmer, 32, both of Russellton in Allegheny County.

The pair had been charged with felony ethnic intimidation, robbery, conspiracy, aggravated assault, misdemeanor terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person, after police said Gorham, who is formerly from Butler, lured a man to a home where he was attacked.

The hate crime statute was invoked by prosecutors because police say some of the men involved reportedly had swastika tattoos and yelled racial slurs at the victim before and during the attack, which happened shortly before 1:30 a.m. May 10.

That's when police say Gorham approached the victim, who is from Verona and was drinking at JJ's Country Tavern in New Kensington, and asked if he wanted to party.

Police say Gorham led the man to Palmer's home on Oak Street, where four men were waiting for them. The men allegedly yelled at the victim, called him a racial slur and then assaulted him with a wrench and hammer before stealing his rings, shoes and phone.

Palmer, who police say is a “self-proclaimed white supremacist,” has denied the victim was ever at his home, along with any involvement in the assault.

All charges against Gorham and Palmer in connection with the assault were withdrawn Wednesday, according to online court documents.

In a statement, Allegheny County prosecutors said they withdrew the case after being unable to locate the victim, who police say gave them a false name when reporting the assault.

Palmer remains in Allegheny County Jail on a parole detainer as charges related to drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia proceed.