Ex-Hugo Boss and Emporio Armani model charged with racist kick of boy

 Posted on September 10, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  508 words  |  Martina Birk

A former designer clothes model who kicked a one-year-old boy with his cowboy boot while shouting racial slurs, was charged on Monday.

Trace Riff, 31, was arrested on December 23 at a Dillons grocery store in Wichita, Kansas, where Lashantai Whitaker says he perpetrated the bizarre attack on her son Jhavii Fry at around 7.20am.

The crystal meth user, who once had a glamorous career modelling Hugo Boss and Emporio Armani, allegedly used the n-word and declared himself a white supremacist.

Police and witnesses described how Riff kicked the baby to the ground who had been holding his 11-year-old sister's hand.

Trace Riff and Douglas Hannant attend Douglas Hannant Men's Fall 2005 Fashion Show at Frederick's in February 2005 in New York City

Trace Riff and Douglas Hannant attend Douglas Hannant Men's Fall 2005 Fashion Show at Frederick's in February 2005 in New York City

Trace Riff, 31, making a video appearance in Sedgwick County court Monday to be charged with aggravated battery

Trace Riff, 31, making a video appearance in Sedgwick County court Monday to be charged with aggravated battery

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Share Jhavii Fry, one, was at the store with his mother and sister when Riff allegedly kicked the boy Jhavii Fry, one, was at the store with his mother and sister when Riff allegedly kicked the boy

Jhavii Fry, one, was at the store with his mother and sister when Riff allegedly kicked the boy

Their 29-year-old mother, who was eight months pregnant at the time of attack told the Wichita Eagle she was happy Riff was being brought to justice.

'I'm happy,' she told the Eagle, 'because I thought they were going to blow it off.'

Riff attending a New York Fashion show in February 2005, wearing a furry jacket

Riff attending a New York Fashion show in February 2005, wearing a furry jacket

Riff was initially charged with misdemeanor battery and freed on a $3,500 bond within hours of the arrest.

But on Monday this was raised to a felony charge of aggravated battery.

Whitaker previously told the Eagle that Riff 'sounded like a madman' as he ranted and screamed. 

The man tried to flee the scene, but was tackled by bystanders until police arrived.

Whitaker said that a witness at the store came forward to say he saw Riff kick the boy.  

Thankfully, young Jhavii was found to be uninjured by paramedics, who said that the boy's thick winter coat may have protected him from more serious harm.

Riff has been in custody since January 3 when he was arrested for smoking meth at an apartment in Wichita. 

This photo of Trace Riff appeared in the August 2005 issue of Harper's Bazaar. He appears on the left, grasping the hip of a supermodel

This photo of Trace Riff appeared in the August 2005 issue of Harper's Bazaar. He appears on the left, grasping the hip of a supermodel

Whitaker, 29, is pregnant and was at the store at about 7.20am with Jhavii and her 11-year-old daughter when the incident occurred Whitaker, 29, is pregnant and was at the store at about 7.20am with Jhavii and her 11-year-old daughter when the incident occurred

Whitaker, 29, (above) was eight months pregnant when she was at the storw at around 7.20am with Jhavii and her 11-year-old daughter when the incident occurred

Court records show that Riff's criminal history dates back to 2002, when he was 15 and led police on a chase in a stolen car.

His record includes an extensive history of drug and alcohol related charges, mental illness, and homelessness.

Riff's relatives told the Eagle he had a jet-set lifestyle as an 18-year-old model living in New York City, but it crashed after he began abusing drugs.

Bond was set at $50,000 for the assault and $50,000 for the crystal meth charges, according to KAKE.

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