AUBURN – State prosecutors are seeking a civil rights injunction against a Lewiston man stemming from his assault last year on a black man.

Joseph Turner, 26, of 16 Merton Road was walking with two friends on Longley Bridge shortly after midnight on July 15, 2007, when he confronted Anthony Hodge, 31, of Lewiston, police said.

Turner and his friends said demeaning things to the woman who was walking with Hodge toward Lewiston on the bridge. Turner and his friends knew the woman, according to police reports.

Hodge told Turner to “leave her alone,” a complaint filed this week in Androscoggin County Superior Court said.

Turner punched Hodge in the face repeatedly while using racial epithets and slurs, court papers said. Turner kicked Hodge and continued to yell racial epithets after he fell to the ground, court papers said.

Hodge suffered head injuries, including a bloody nose, but he wasn’t taken to a hospital, police said.

Police reported the assault to the Maine Attorney General’s Office as a possible hate crime.

Turner was convicted of assault in May and sentenced to 24 hours in jail and a $300 fine, state records said. A court clerk said Turner hadn’t paid any of the fine. A warrant was issued for his arrest, the clerk said.

Hodge continued to fear for his safety and has moved from his Lewiston address, a state prosecutor said.

Assistant Attorney General Thomas Harnett filed the complaint against Turner, alleging he violated the Maine Civil Rights Act. Turner “intentionally interfered with (Hodge’s) right to engage in lawful activities without being subject to physical force or violence or threats of physical violence based on (Turner’s) bias towards (Hodge’s) race or color.”

Harnett seeks a permanent injunction to keep Turner from:

• Assaulting, using physical force or violence, threatening to use physical force or violence, intimidating, coercing or harassing or attempting to do any of those things;

• Using or threatening to use violence against somebody while motivated by bias based on race;

• Causing or attempting to cause damage to or trespass on Hodge’s property and doing so while motivated by bias based on race;

• Do any of those things because Hodge might complain or testify against Turner about his actions on the bridge or any illegal acts or Hodge’s willingness to cooperate in an investigation about those actions;

• Speaking to Hodge or phoning him or writing him, except through attorneys in order to prepare a defense;

• Coming within 150 feet of Hodge or his home; or

• Encouraging anyone else to take those actions.

Harnett also is seeking a $5,000 civil penalty and attorney’s fees.

Turner’s criminal record shows a string of convictions dating back to 2000, including two for misdemeanor assault, according to state records.