JONESBORO, Ga. - A White man accused of beating a Black female Army reservist in front of her 7 year old daughter while yelling racial slurs at her outside a suburban Atlanta restaurant was indicted on felony charges.

Troy Dale West Jr., 47, of Poulan, Ga., faces one count each of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and first-degree cruelty to children under the Sept. 23 indictment filed in Clayton County Superior Court. He also faces two counts each of battery and disorderly conduct, which are misdemeanors.

Mr. West's lawyer, Larry King, declined comment.

Police allege that Mr. West screamed racial slurs as he kicked and punched Tashawnea Hill, in the presence of Ms. Hill's seven-year-old daughter, on Sept. 9 outside a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Morrow, about 15 miles south of Atlanta.

Police have said Mr. West became enraged when Ms. 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.

Mr. West told police he became upset because Ms. Hill spit on him after accusing him of trying to hit her daughter, according to the police report. Several witnesses said they never saw Ms. Hill spit on Mr. West.

Jail records show Mr. West was booked into the Clayton County jail around 9:30 a.m. Sept. 23. He was being held without bond until he requests a bond hearing, District Attorney Tracy Graham Lawson said. An arraignment hearing will likely be held 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.

Cracker Barrel issued a statement condemning the incident and banning Mr. West from ever visiting any of its establishments again.

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 Ms. Hill as she left. (AP)