LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln man accused of assaulting an Uber driver now faces a felony hate crime charge in the case.

30-year-old James Danahay was charged Monday with third-degree assault committed as a hate crime.

Police say an Uber driver with an Arabic name picked up Danahay just before midnight on Oct. 3. Police say Danahay began asking the driver questions about his family and ethnicity. When the driver declined to answer, police say, Danahay began yelling racial insults and calling the driver an “illegal alien.” Police say Danahay punched the driver when he pulled over and called 911.

If convicted, Danahay faces up to two years in prison. His next court hearing is Dec. 20.

A working phone number for Danahay could not be found Tuesday.