SANTA ANA – A transient is in custody on suspicion of a hate crime for hanging a noose in the doorway of a gay-rights organization.

Marten Joseph Brandel, 45, showed up for his scheduled appointment at a parole office in Irvine Friday when he was arrested by Santa Ana police on suspicion of committing a hate crime and for hanging a noose on private property for the purpose of terrorizing the owner or occupants, Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

Brandel was already on parole for assaulting a police officer and narcotics violations.

“It is unknown what his affiliation is, or what his beef is with the organization at this time,” Bertagna said.

The noose was hung last October in the doorway of Equality California, an advocacy group that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. The organization worked out of an unmarked office in a Santa Ana strip mall at the time.

A worker found the noose when she arrived at the office to unlock the doors for volunteers.

In Santa Ana, suspected hate crimes are assigned to homicide detectives, Bertagna said.

“We take hate crimes very seriously,” he said.

Officers in the crime lab extracted DNA from the noose, which was eventually linked to Brandel.

“Because he is homeless, we had to go looking for him,” Bertagna said.

When questioned by detectives, Brandel made incriminating statements

“He admitted to committing the crime, but (didn’t’ say) why he committed it,” Bertagna said.

Brandel is being held without bail because he is on parole.

Vaishalee Raja, spokesperson for Equality California, released a statement on Branel’s arrest:

“We thank the Santa Ana Police Department for making an arrest in this case. It sends a powerful message that crimes motivated by bigotry against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community will not go unpunished. Equality California will continue its work to open hearts and minds so that LGBT Californians one day enjoy freedom from the prejudice and hatred that can lead to violence.”

Contact the writer: lponsi@ocregister.com or 714-704-3730