Hate Crimes Case Examples

The Islamic Center of Victoria, in Victoria Texas, engulfed in flames after being set on fire – Read examples of federal hate crimes cases.

Omar Rachid

Hate Crimes Case Examples

Below is a selection of representative federal hate crimes case summaries. Each includes a link to a DOJ press release, with additional information.

Indiana | February 12, 2021 | Race, Color

Indiana Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime for Racially Motivated Threats Towards Black Neighbor

An Indiana man has pled guilty to making threats to intimidate his Black neighbor, and interfere with their right to fair housing, because of the neighbor’s race. When the defendant learned about his neighbor’s plans to remove a tree from the neighbor’s property, he placed and burned a cross facing the neighbor’s property along the fence line. He also displayed a large sign with anti-Black racial slurs and a swastika next to a machete, loudly played the song “Dixie” on repeat, and threw eggs at his neighbor’s house.

His sentencing date has not been set at this time. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the charged offenses.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/indiana-man-pleads-guilty-hate-crime-making-racially-charged-motivated-threats-toward-Black

Michigan | February 11, 2021 | Race, Color

Michigan Man Indicted for Hate Crimes After Attacking African-American Teenagers

A Michigan man has been charged for causing bodily injury to two Black teenagers through the use of a dangerous weapon.

According to the charges, he confronted a group of Black teenagers at a state park, repeatedly using racial slurs and saying that Black people had no right to use the public beach. He then struck one of the teens in the face with a bike lock, fracturing the victim’s jaw and knocking out several of his teeth, before trying to strike another teen with the lock.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years for each count.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/michigan-man-indicted-hate-crimes-after-attacking-african-american-teenagers

California | January 4, 2021 | Religion

California Woman Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime for Threatening to Bomb Catholic Prep School

A California woman pleaded guilty to committing a religious-bias hate crime by threatening to bomb the Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, D.C.

In May 2019, after school officials announced that Visitation Prep, the oldest Catholic school for girls in the country, would begin publishing same-sex wedding announcements in its alumni magazine, they began receiving threats. On May 15, the defendant left a series of voice messages stating that she was going to burn and bomb campus buildings, and kill school officials and students.

The crime carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-woman-pleads-guilty-hate-crime-threatening-bomb-catholic-prep-school

Washington | December 18, 2020 | Race

Four Indicted for Hate Crimes and False Statements After Racially Motivated Assault in Lynnwood, Washington

Four men from across the Pacific Northwest were indicted this week for federal hate crimes and making false statements in connection with a racially-motivated assault.

The charges allege that the Defendants attacked a Black man while using racial slurs at a bar in Lynnwood, Washington. In addition to the hate crime charges, the indictment charges each defendant, separately, with giving false statements to the FBI during the investigation by lying about the use of racial slurs.

The hate crime charges carry a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. The false statements charges carry a maximum penalty of five years.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until each is proven guilty.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/four-indicted-hate-crimes-and-false-statements-after-racially-motivated-assault

Indictment: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/press-release/file/1347166/download

Illinois, Minnesota | December 9, 2020 | Religion

Federal Jury Convicts Illinois Man for Bombing the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center

A federal jury returned guilty verdicts against the defendant for his role in bombing the Dar al-Farooq (“DAF”) Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, on August 5, 2017. Previously, two other defendants pleaded guilty to their roles in the bombing.

As proven at trial, during the summer of 2017, the defendant established a terrorist militia group called “The White Rabbits” in Clarence, Illinois. He recruited co-defendants to join the militia, which he outfitted with paramilitary equipment and assault rifles. On August 4 and 5, 2017, they drove a rented pickup truck from Illinois to Bloomington, Minnesota, to bomb the DAF Islamic Center. On August 5, 2017, at the defendant’s direction, the group bombed the DAF Islamic Center. At the time of the bombing, several worshipers were gathered in the mosque for morning prayers.

The defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years in prison. A sentencing date will be scheduled at a later time.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/federal-jury-convicts-illinois-man-bombing-dar-al-farooq-islamic-center

Kansas | November 23, 2020 | Race

Kansas Man Indicted with Hate Crime for Racially-Motivated Threat of a Minor

A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment charging the defendant with threatening a Black minor, because of the victim’s race. The indictment alleges that the defendant shouted racial slurs and brandished a knife at the victim.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for both the civil rights and firearm charges.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/kansas-man-indicted-hate-crime-racially-motivated-threat-minor-and-unlawfully-possessing

Vermont | November 3, 2020 | Race, National Origin

Man Sentenced for Federal Hate Crime

A Vermont man was sentenced to time served, of nearly a year, and three years of supervised release for pleading guilty to a federal hate crime.

On July 29, 2019, the defendant intimidated and harassed his neighbors, o a Hispanic family including two children, because of their race and national origin. He threatened to burn down the family’s home while they were inside and threatened to set fire to a member of the family. The defendant also shouted racial and ethnic slurs at the family, yelled at them to “go back to Mexico,” and yelled that “you Mexicans don’t belong on this street.” He warned the family that he would do “whatever it takes to get you off this street,” and exposed his genitals and buttocks in front of the family, including one of the children. Finally, he smashed the family’s mailbox and smashed glass on their lawn.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-vt/pr/man-sentenced-federal-hate-crime

California | September 29, 2020 | Race

California Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime for Attempting to Stab Black Man

A California man has been charged with a federal hate crime for attacking a Black man with a knife on a street in Santa Cruz, California.

According to the charges, the defendant confronted a 29-year-old Black man who was crossing a street in Santa Cruz. He took out a nine-inch knife and slashed at the man’s head, chest, and stomach multiple times while yelling racial slurs at him.

At the time of the attack, the defendant was on probation for state convictions involving a racially-motivated assault on a different Black man in 2018. The complaint also describes two additional racially-motivated assaults committed by the defendant against Black men in 2014 and 2018.

The charge in the complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The defendant faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-man-charged-federal-hate-crime-attempting-stab-Black-man

Colorado | September 17, 2020 | Race

Colorado Man Charged with Hate Crime After Unprovoked Stabbing of Black Man

A Colorado man has been charged with a hate crime after stabbing a Black man from Ontario, Oregon while the man was sitting in a fast food restaurant.

According to the charges, on the morning of Dec. 21, 2019, a 48-year-old Black man arrived at an Arby’s fast food restaurant adjoining the Pilot Travel Center in Ontario where he planned to provide final documentation for a pending job application. The man sat in the lobby of the restaurant while waiting for the manager.

Unprovoked and without warning, the defendant approached the man from behind and stabbed him in the neck. Following a struggle for the knife, the man freed himself and the defendant was detained by store employees. When asked by the store employee why he attacked the man, the defendant stated he did so because the man “was Black, and I don’t like Black people.”

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/colorado-man-charged-hate-crime-after-unprovoked-stabbing-Black-man

Texas | July 9, 2020 | Race, National Origin

Federal Grand Jury in El Paso Returns Superseding Indictment in August 2019 Walmart Shooting

The Texas man responsible for a 2019 mass shooting in an El Paso Walmart now faces new hate crime and firearm charges stemming from the death of a hospitalized shooting victim, announced Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Eric D. Dreiband and U.S. Attorney John F. Bash.

The alleged shooter was already indicted on hate crimes and firearm charges in connection with the murder of 22 people and attempted murder of 23 others at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, on August 3, 2019.

The indictment alleges that he opened fire with an assault rifle and shot multiple people around the Walmart Supercenter in El Paso, killing 22 individuals and injuring many more. The indictment further alleges that on the same day he uploaded a document that he drafted titled, “The Inconvenient Truth,” to the internet. That document stated “This attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas. They are the instigators, not me. I am simply defending my country from cultural and ethnic replacement brought on by the invasion.”

The indictment charges that the subject willfully caused bodily injuries to the victims because of actual and perceived national origin. The indictment calls for the death penalty or life imprisonment. The Attorney General will decide whether to seek the death penalty at a later time.

Video of Press Conference, remarks from Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband (in English), U.S. Attorney John F. Bash (in English and Spanish), and FBI El Paso Special Agent Charles Luis M. Quesada (in English and Spanish): https://www.justice.gov/opa/video/texas-man-charged-federal-hate-crimes-and-firearm-offenses-related-august-3-2019-mass

Remarks from Civil Rights Division: https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/remarks-assistant-attorney-general-eric-dreiband-announcing-united-states-v-patrick-wood

Press Release (charge): https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/texas-man-charged-federal-hate-crimes-and-firearm-offenses-related-august-3-2019-mass

Press Release (superseding indictment): https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/federal-grand-jury-el-paso-returns-superseding-indictment-against-patrick-crusius

New York | June 30, 2020 | Religion

New York Man Arrested for Hate Crime

A New York Man has been charged by federal criminal complaint with making anti-Semitic death threats to a resident of Stratford, Connecticut.

On December 23, 2019, the first day of Hanukkah, the man began sending the victim, who is Jewish, threatening text messages. In several messages, he threatened to murder or seriously injure the victim. He also threatened to blow up the victim’s house and car. Some of the threatening text messages contained anti-Semitic references to the Holocaust.

The charges, which include a hate crime, carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/new-york-man-arrested-hate-crime

Virginia | June 26, 2020 | Race, Color

Local Man Arrested for Lying About Marion Cross Burning, Interfering with Fair Housing Based on Race

A man in Virginia was charged with lying to federal agents about his involvement in the burning of a cross on the front lawn of an African-American woman’s home and criminal interference with fair housing based upon the victim’s race.

The charges include lying to federal agents and criminal interference with fair housing based upon the victim’s race. According to court documents, on June 14, 2020, at approximately 12:55 a.m., the Marion Police Department received a report of a burning cross in the front yard of an African-American family, one of whom had organized a civil rights protest the day before.

In the following days, working with the FBI, investigators learned of the involvement of the defendant. When questioned by investigators if he had anything to do with the cross-burning incident, he allegedly lied. Witnesses interviewed during the investigation stated that the defendant admitted to the cross burning and used racial epithets when referring to the African American family.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Press Release (charged): https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/pr/local-man-arrested-lying-about-marion-cross-burning-interfering-fair-housing-based-race

Missouri | May 12, 2020 | Religion

Missouri Man Indicted for Hate Crime and Arson Charges

A Missouri man faces charges for damaging religious property. These charges are the result of an investigation by the Cape Girardeau Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Missouri State Fire Marshal Office, the Perryville Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

According to the criminal complaint, on April 24, 2020, at approximately 4:50 a.m., a fire was discovered at The Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The Center’s video security system for the time of the fire observed the defendant throwing multiple objects through a glass window, causing it to break. He threw two containers into the Center through the broken window and stepped through to enter the Center, and then picked up the containers and splashed liquid inside the Center. He then ignited the fire with some type of fire starter. The blaze began immediately and appeared to be accelerated by the liquid that was poured in the building.

These charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/missouri-man-indicted-hate-crime-and-arson-charges

Puerto Rico | May 1, 2020 | Gender Identity

Hate Crimes Charges in Connection with the Shooting Death of Two Transgender Individuals During an Alleged Carjacking

A federal grand jury in Puerto Rico charged two defendants with murdering two transgender women. The indictment accuses the defendants of using a firearm to commit a crime and causing two deaths through the use of a firearm. The charges also include a hate crime based on the victims’ gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.

If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison or the death penalty.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-pr/pr/two-individuals-charged-carjacking-murder-firearms-offenses-and-destruction-property

(en Español: https://www.justice.gov/usao-pr/pr/dos-individuos-acusados-por-carjacking-y-usar-un-arma-de-fuego-durante-un-crimen-violento)

Affidavit in Support of Criminal Complaint: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1273056/download

Florida/Virginia | April 30, 2020 | Race, Color

Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Racially-Motivated Election Interference and Cyberstalking

A Florida man pled guilty to threatening an African-American Charlottesville City Council candidate because of his race and because he was running for office, and to threatening, harassing, and stalking another victim using social media.

The defendant admitted using fake names on social media to promote white supremacy and to express support for racially-motivated violence. The defendant also admitted to using social media to threaten violence against an African-American resident of Charlottesville, Virginia, because of his race and because he was running for City Council.

The defendant will be sentenced on July 23, 2020, and faces up to one year in prison for making online threats and up to five years in prison for using the internet to threaten, stalk, and harass.

Guilty Plea: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/florida-man-pleads-guilty-racially-motivated-interference-election-charlottesville-virginia

Indictment: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/florida-man-arrested-making-racially-motivated-threats-interference-election-charlottesville

Massachusetts | April 15, 2020 | Religion

Massachusetts Man Charged with Attempted Arson at a Jewish-Sponsored Assisted Living Facility

An East Longmeadow man was arrested and charged in connection with attempted arson at a Longmeadow assisted living residential facility.

According to the criminal complaint, on April 2, 2020, police discovered a homemade bomb at the entrance of Ruth’s House, a Jewish-sponsored assisted living residential facility for seniors of all faiths,. Police linked D.N.A. found on the device to the defendant. The device was discovered after law enforcement identified credible online threats against Ruth’s House on social media posts tied to a white supremacist organization.

The defendant faces two separate charges, each with sentences of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release following imprisonment, and fines of $250,000.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/east-longmeadow-man-charged-attempted-arson-longmeadow-assisted-living-residential

Pennsylvania | March 30, 2020 | Race, Color, Religion, National Origin

Lehighton Man Charged with Internet Threats

A Leighton man has been charged with transmitting threats across state lines to cause bodily injury to another person.

The defendant allegedly used fake names online to post hundreds of anti-Semitic, anti-black, and anti-Muslim messages, images, and videos. Several of these posts, like the one charged in the complaint, included threats to various religious and racial groups. Other posts expressed a desire to commit genocide and “hate crimes,” and called for or depicted images of the killing of Jewish people, black people, and Muslim people”. On March 13, 2019, the defendant allegedly posted a digitally-created image of his arm and hand aiming an AR-15 rifle at a congregation of praying Jewish men, gathered in what appears to be a synagogue.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 5 years of imprisonment for each violation, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/lehighton-man-charged-internet-threats

Utah | March 17, 2020 | Race, National Origin

Utah Man Convicted on Hate Crimes Charges for Attacking Three Men with a Metal Pole

A federal jury in Salt Lake City, Utah, found defendant Alan Covington guilty on three hate crimes charges. The Utah man is charged with attacking three men with a metal pole because he believed the men were Mexican.

Evidence presented at trial established that on November 27, 2018, Covington entered a tire store and shouted at employees there that he wanted to “kill Mexicans.” Then he struck one of the employees in the head with a metal pole that resulted in a serious head injury. After the father of the victim rushed to help his son, Covington struck the father in the back with the metal pole. Covington also attempted to injure a third man who intervened.

A sentencing date has not been set yet. Covington faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Indictment: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/utah-man-charged-hate-crimes-attacking-three-men-metal-pole

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/utah-man-convicted-hate-crime-charges-after-attacking-three-men-metal-pole

Maine | March 10, 2020 | Race, National Origin

Man Convicted of Hate Crime Assaults in Maine

Maurice Diggins was convicted of conspiring to—and committing—hate crimes against black men in Maine. The government proved that Diggins conspired with his nephew, Dusty Leo, to brutally assault two men because they were black. Leo had already pleaded guilty.

In the first incident, Diggins attacked a black Sudanese man without provocation. During the same incident, Diggins and Leo assaulted another black man who was standing nearby. Witnesses heard Diggins and Leo using racial epithets during these incidents.

In the second incident, which occurred about an hour later and approximately 20 miles away, Diggins and Leo drove into a parking lot of a convenience store, where Diggins got out of the truck and approached a black man who was walking toward the store’s entrance. Diggins directed a racial slur at the man and distracted him while Leo got out of the truck and sucker-punched the man in the jaw, knocking him to the ground.

In both incidents, Diggins and Leo’s unprovoked attacks broke the victims’ jaws requiring extensive surgery.

Diggins and Leo have not been sentenced yet. Diggins faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each hate crimes charge, and five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy charge. Leo faces the same penalties for the conspiracy charge and the hate crimes charge.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/biddeford-maine-man-convicted-hate-crime-assaults

Arizona, Florida, Texas, Washington | February 26, 2020 | Race, Religion, National Origin

Arrests in Four States of Racially Motivated Violent Extremists Targeting Journalists and Activists

Four racially motivated violent extremists from across the United States were arrested and charged with a conspiracy to threaten and intimidate journalists, focusing primarily on those who are Jewish or journalists of color.

According to the criminal complaint, the defendants conspired through an online chat group to identify journalists and others they wanted to intimidate. Two of the defendants created posters that included Nazi symbols, masked figures with guns and Molotov cocktails, and threatening language. The posters were delivered to Atomwaffen members electronically, and the co-conspirators printed and delivered or mailed the posters to journalists or activists the group was targeting. In Seattle, the posters were mailed to a TV journalist who had reported on Atomwaffen and to two individuals associated with the Anti-Defamation League. In Phoenix, the poster was delivered to a magazine journalist.

These charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Complaint: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/press-release/file/1252306/download

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/arrests-four-states-racially-motivated-violent-extremists-targeting-journalists-and

Louisiana | February 10, 2020 | Religion

Louisiana Church Bombing

Holden Matthews has pled guilty to intentionally setting fire to three Baptist churches in the area of Opelousas because of the religious character of those buildings. Matthews set the fires over ten days in March and April of 2019, and each of the church buildings was destroyed.

Matthews admitted that he intentionally set fire to the three Baptist churches with predominately African-American congregations.

Matthews further admitted that he wanted to raise his profile as a “Black Metal” musician by copying similar crimes committed in Norway in the 1990s. After setting the third fire, he posted photographs and videos on Facebook showing the first two churches burning. He admitted that he took these photographs and videos in real-time on his cell phone as he watched the churches burn, and that he posted them to Facebook to promote himself in the Black Metal community.

Matthews will be sentenced on May 22, 2020. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 70 years in prison.

Indictment: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/louisiana-man-charged-federal-hate-crimes-setting-fire-three-st-landry-parish-churches

Plea: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/louisiana-man-pleads-guilty-burning-three-baptist-churches-st-landry-parish

Texas | February 6, 2020 | National Origin

Texas Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes and Firearm Offenses for Mass-Shooting in El Paso

A federal grand jury in El Paso has indicted a Texas man on hate crimes and firearm charges in connection with the murder of 22 people and attempted murder of 23 others at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, on August 3, 2019.

Remarks from Civil Rights Division: https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/remarks-assistant-attorney-general-eric-dreiband-announcing-united-states-v-patrick-wood

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/texas-man-charged-federal-hate-crimes-and-firearm-offenses-related-august-3-2019-mass

Maryland | January 16, 2020 | Religion

Man Charged for Making Threats Against a Maryland Synagogue

A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging a Maryland man for threatening to attack a Baltimore-area synagogue on multiple occasions. The superseding indictment replaces the previous indictment, which only charged him with making threats in interstate communications.

In addition to the interstate communications charge, the suspect is charged with intentionally attempting to obstruct persons in the enjoyment of their free exercise of religious beliefs through threats of force.

According to the superseding indictment, he made numerous telephone calls to an employee of a synagogue in Owings Mills, Maryland, and threatened to kill members of the synagogue’s congregations with firearms, explosives, and by burning the synagogue down.

If convicted, the maximum sentence is 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to 250,000.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/superseding-indictment-charges-man-making-threats-against-maryland-synagogue

New York | January 9, 2020 | Religion

Orange County Man Charged with Additional Federal Hate Crimes for Machete Attack at Rabbi’s Home

A federal grand jury has indicted a New York man with federal hate crimes including willfully causing bodily injury to five victims because of the victims’ religion and for obstructing the free exercise of religion by attempting to kill during Hanukkah observances at a rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York.

The indictment alleges that on December 28, 2019, the subject was armed with an 18-inch machete and entered a rabbi’s home—adjacent to the rabbi’s synagogue—where dozens had gathered for Hanukkah. There he slashed and stabbed several of the assembled congregants. At least five victims were hospitalized with severe injuries. It is alleged that he targeted and attacked the congregants because of their religion.

Following the attack, he was stopped by members of the New York City Police Department. In the vehicle they saw a machete that appeared to have traces of dried blood on it. After securing warrants, law enforcement searched the subject’s residence and cellphone. The residence contained handwritten journals with several pages of anti-Semitic references, including references to “Adolf Hitler” and “Nazi Culture.” The cellphone contained internet searches for terms such as “Zionist Temples in Staten Island and New Jersey,” “why did Hitler hate the Jews,” and “prominent companies founded by Jews in America.” Also found was a webpage visit on the day of the attack to an article titled, “New York Increases Police Presence in Jewish Neighborhoods After Anti-Semitic Attacks. Here’s What to Know.”

Each count carries a maximum prison term of life.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/orange-county-man-charged-additional-federal-hate-crimes-december-28-2019-machete-attack

Texas | December 13, 2019 | Sexual orientation

Dallas Men Plead Guilty to Hate Crimes After Using Dating App to Target Gay Men

Two men have pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime and other charges in connection with their involvement in a scheme to single out men because of their sexual orientation. The defendants conspired with a third accomplice, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and kidnapping charges in connection with the case in March of 2019.

The defendants used Grindr, a social media platform, to lure gay men to areas around Dallas for robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and violent hate crimes. The co-conspirators held the victims at gunpoint against their will, forced a victim to withdraw money from an ATM, sexually assaulted at least one of the victims, and wiped human feces on and urinated on another victim.

Defendant Atkinson will be sentenced in February of 2020. Sentencing for defendant Ceniceros-Deleon is set for April 1, 2020, and the court has not scheduled a sentencing hearing for defendant Henry.

Henry and Ceniceros-Deleon Guilty Plea: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-dallas-men-plead-guilty-hate-crimes-after-using-dating-app-target-gay-men-violent-crimes

Atkinson Guilty Plea: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/dallas-man-pleads-guilty-kidnapping-and-conspiracy-charges-after-targeting-gay-men-violent

Mississippi | November 7, 2019 | Race, Color

Two Mississippi Men Sentenced for Crossburning in Predominantly African American Residential Area

Graham Williamson and Louie Revette, of Seminary, Mississippi, were sentenced for a racially motivated crossburning in a predominantly African-American residential area. Williamson was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison. Revette was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for recruiting Williamson, planning, and executing the crossburning.

In October 2017, the two men built a cross that they set up and lit on fire near the homes of African-American residents in the Keys Hill area of Seminary, Mississippi. Both men admitted to knowing that burning crosses have historically been used to threaten, frighten, and intimidate African-Americans, and that they wanted to make the community members in the neighborhood fearful. The crossburning was mostly directed at a young African-American victim and placed near the victim’s home.

Williamson Sentencing: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/mississippi-man-sentenced-36-months-crossburning

Revette Sentencing: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/mississippi-man-sentenced-11-years-crossburning

Colorado | November 4, 2019 | Religion

Colorado Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime for Plotting to Blow Up Synagogue

A Colorado man was charged with a federal hate crime for plotting to blow up the Temple Emanuel Synagogue in Pueblo, Colorado.

According to the affidavit, the defendant self-identifies as a skinhead and a white supremacist. After visiting Temple Emanuel and observing Jewish congregants, the subject allegedly told undercover FBI agents that he wanted to do something that would tell Jewish people in the community that they are not welcome in Pueblo, and they should leave or they will die. He repeatedly expressed his hatred of Jewish people and support for a racial holy war. He suggested using explosive devices to destroy the Synagogue to “get that place off the map.” He allegedly met with undercover FBI agents posing as fellow white supremacists to develop an attack plan and coordinate how to get explosives.

On November 1, 2019, Holzer allegedly met with undercover agents who provided him with inactive explosive devices created by the FBI. He planned to set off the explosives early Saturday, November 2.

The defendant is currently in federal custody and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if found guilty.

Criminal Complaint Charge: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/southern-colorado-man-charged-federal-hate-crime-plotting-blow-synagogue

Louisiana | October 31, 2019 | Disability

Louisiana Family Members Sentenced for Violating Civil Rights of Woman with Disabilities

Terry Knope and Raylaine Knope have been sentenced to 336 months in federal prison for charges of conspiring to obtain forced labor and a Hate Crime involving a woman with cognitive disabilities. Bridget Knope was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for conspiring with family members to receive forced labor. Jody Lambert was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison in June 2019 for conspiring with family members to violate the federal housing rights of a woman with disabilities.

The family conspired to obtain unpaid household labor from a woman with a disability through force, threats of force, physical restraint, as well as physical, verbal, and psychological abuse. The victim was locked in a backyard cage and forced to perform housework in exchange for food and water. The family also routinely stole the victim’s federal disability benefits.

Terry Knope Sentencing: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/louisiana-man-sentenced-violating-civil-rights-woman-disabilities

Raylaine Knope and Bridget Lambert Sentencing: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/louisiana-mother-and-daughter-sentenced-violating-civil-rights-woman-disabilities

Jody Lambert Sentencing: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/louisiana-man-sentenced-conspiring-violate-federal-housing-rights-woman-disabilities

Virginia | August 15, 2019 | Religion, National Origin

Virginia Man Sentenced To 60 Months In Prison For Threatening Employees Of The Arab American Institute

William Syring of Arlington, Virginia, has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for threatening employees of the Arab American Institute (AAI) because of their race and national origin. Syring also targeted AAI employees because of their efforts to encourage Arab Americans to participate in political and civic life in the United States.

Syring sent over 700 emails to AAI employees from 2012 to 2017, including five death threats. Similarly, in 2008, Syring admitted to sending threatening emails to AAI employees and used language nearly identical to that in his 2017 emails. For over a decade, AAI employees lived in fear that he would follow through with his threats. The threatening messages took a toll on them, their families, and their loved ones.

On May 9, 2019, Syring was convicted on all 14 counts in the indictment, including seven hate crime charges and seven interstate threats charges.

Indictment: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/virginia-man-indicted-hate-crime-and-threatening-employees-arab-american-institute

Conviction: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/virginia-man-convicted-threatening-employees-arab-american-institute

Virginia | July 19, 2019 | Race, Color

Three Members of California-Based White Supremacist Group Sentenced on Riots Charges Related to August 2017 “Unite the Right” Rally in Charlottesville

Benjamin Daley, Michael Miselis, and Thomas Gillen, members of the white-supremacist group formerly known as the Rise Above Movement (RAM), were sentenced in court for violence they committed at political rallies as part of their conspiracy to riot.

From March 2017 to August 2017, the three men traveled with other RAM members to multiple political rallies and organized demonstrations in Virginia and California where they engaged in planned acts of violence. They attended these rallies intending to provoke physical conflict with counter-protestors, which they believed would justify their use of force and protect them from prosecution. The defendants admitted that their acts of violence during the Charlottesville Unite the Right rally were not in self-defense.

Daley was sentenced to 37 months in prison, Gillen was sentenced to 33 months in prison, and Miselis was sentenced to 27 months in prison. A fourth defendant, Cole Evan White, will be sentenced at a later date. All four defendants previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to riot.

Sentencing: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/pr/three-members-california-based-white-supremacist-group-sentenced-riots-charges-related

Virginia | June 28, 2019 | Race, color, national origin, religion

Charlottesville Rally Participant Sentenced for Car Attack

James Alex Fields, Jr., who participated in a white nationalist rally held in Charlottesville, Virginia, has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to hate crimes charges that resulted in the death of a victim, caused bodily injury, and involved an attempt to kill other people after he drove into a group of counter-protestors.

According to facts signed by Fields, he attended the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where multiple groups and individuals chanted and expressed white supremacist and anti-Semitic views. After law enforcement told rally participants to leave, he admitted that he drove into downtown Charlottesville where a racially and ethnically diverse crowd had gathered. Fields proceeded to drive into a crowd of counter-protestors because of their actual and perceived race, color, national origin, and religion. He also admitted that prior to the rally he used social media to express and promote white supremacist views; the social and racial policies of Nazi-era Germany; and violence against groups that he perceived to be non-white.

Indictment: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ohio-man-charged-federal-hate-crimes-related-august-2017-rally-charlottesville

Guilty Plea: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ohio-man-pleads-guilty-29-federal-hate-crimes-august-2017-car-attack-rally-charlottesville

Sentencing: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ohio-man-sentenced-life-prison-federal-hate-crimes-related-august-2017-car-attack-rally

Oregon | May 23, 2019 | Religion

Oregon Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Federal Prison for Hate Crime Targeting Eugene Church

Benjamin Hernandez, of Eugene, Oregon, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for committing a hate crime targeting St. Mary Catholic Church in Eugene in September 2018 and illegally possessing ammunition.

Hernandez was escorted from St. Mary Church property on September 9, 2018, following an angry outburst during communion services. Over the following weeks, Hernandez was spotted around the property by security cameras and employees spraying door handles with pepper spray, making threatening gestures towards members of the congregation, and leaving a threatening note coupled with ammunition. As a result, staff and churchgoers were physically injured, frightened, and concerned about their safety.

Hernandez was arrested on September 21, 2018, and pleaded guilty on February 12, 2019, to obstruction or attempted obstruction of persons in the free exercise of their religious beliefs and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Guilty Plea: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/oregon-man-pleads-guilty-federal-hate-crime-threatening-shooting-spree-eugene-church

Sentencing: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/oregon-man-sentenced-15-months-federal-prison-hate-crime-targeting-eugene-church

California | May 21, 2019 | Religion

California Man Indicted for Federal Hate Crimes Related to Poway Synagogue Shooting and Arson of Escondido Mosque

A California man has been charged with federal hate crimes, including the obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs and damage to religious property, following attacks on the Chabad of Poway Synagogue and Dur-ul-Arqam Mosque in California.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, the defendant set fire to the Dur-ul-Arqam Mosque on March 24, 2019. The flames were quickly extinguished but the building sustained some damage. A month later, on April 27, 2019, the defendant reportedly arrived at the Poway Synagogue with a fully loaded semi-automatic rifle with five extra magazines strapped to a chest rig, and opened fire, killing one person and injuring three other members of the congregation. The defendant was chased from the scene and attempted to flee, but law enforcement later apprehended him and found the rifle and ammunition in his car. The defendant’s manifesto was later found during the execution of a search warrant, in which he admitted to the Dur-al-Arqam Mosque arson and cited the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue shooting as an inspiration for his actions.

The defendant faces a 113-count indictment, with a maximum possible penalty of death, or life without parole. He is currently in state custody pending state criminal charges.

Charges Filed: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-man-charged-federal-hate-crimes-poway-synagogue-shooting

Indictment: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-man-indicted-federal-hate-crimes-related-poway-synagogue-shooting-and-arson

Utah | February 20, 2019 | Race, national origin

Utah Man Charged With Hate Crimes for Attacking Three Men

A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City, Utah, indicted a Utah man on three hate crimes charges. The Utah man is charged with attacking three men with a metal pole because he believed the men were Mexican.

The indictment alleges that on November 27, 2018, the accused entered a tire store and shouted that he wanted to “kill Mexicans.” Then he allegedly hit one victim in the head with a metal pole in an attempt to kill the victim and struck another man in an attempt to injure him.

Indictment: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/utah-man-charged-hate-crimes-attacking-three-men-metal-pole

Pennsylvania | January 29, 2019 | Religion

Pennsylvania Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes for Tree Of Life Synagogue Shooting

Robert Bowers was charged with 44 federal counts, including obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death for an attack that occurred on the Sabbath at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in October 2018. On January 29, 2019, a federal grand jury sitting in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania charged Bowers with additional federal hate crimes and firearms offenses for his conduct during the shootings. According to the indictment, the shootings occurred on October 27, 2018, when Bowers entered the Tree of Life Synagogue with multiple firearms and stated his desire to “kill Jews.” Bowers killed eleven worshippers, and injured two other members of the congregations and five law enforcement officers. Bowers faces a maximum possible penalty of life without parole. The additional charges can also result in a sentence of death. If the Attorney General determines the circumstances of these offenses justify seeking the death penalty, the Department of Justice must file a notice with the court at a reasonable time before the trial begins.

Additional Charges Filed: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/additional-charges-filed-tree-life-synagogue-shooting-0

Ohio | January 29, 2019 | Religion

Ohio Man Indicted for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS and Attempting to Commit a Violent Hate Crime Attack Against a Toledo Synagogue

A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Ohio charged an Ohio man with three federal charges in connection with his plan to attack a synagogue in the Toledo area.

The three-count indictment charges the defendant with attempting to provide material support to Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), attempting to commit a hate crime, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence.

According to court documents, the defendant drew law enforcement’s attention in 2018 with social media posts of weapons and messages supportive of ISIS, as well as posting a photograph originally distributed by ISIS. That online activity led to multiple interactions between him and undercover FBI agents, during which the defendant stated his support for violent attacks and operations. For example, he communicated to the undercover agent his admiration for the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting that occurred in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in October 2018. Additionally, the defendant discussed conducting a mass shooting at a synagogue with the undercover agent. He identified two synagogues as potential targets, discussed the types of weapons he believed would be able to inflict mass casualties, and stated he wanted to kill a rabbi. He wrote the name and address of the synagogue he selected and showed the undercover agent photos of the inside. He was arrested after he accepted two semi-automatic rifles the undercover agent told him he had purchased for the attack. The weapons were rendered inoperable by law enforcement officers, so they posed no danger to the public.

Indictment: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ohio-man-indicted-attempting-provide-material-support-isis-and-attempting-commit-violent-hate

Kansas | January 25, 2019 | Religion, national origin

Three Kansas Men Sentenced to Prison for Plotting to Bomb Somali Immigrants in Garden City

On January 25, 2019, Curtis Allen, Gavin Wright, and Patrick Stein were sentenced to 25, 26, and 30 years, respectively, for conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and to violate the housing rights of their intended victims. Both conspiracies stemmed from the defendants’ plot to blow up an apartment complex in an effort to kill the Somali Muslim immigrants who lived and worshipped there. Prior to the conviction, the FBI conducted an eight-month-long investigation during which they uncovered recordings of the defendants discussing their plan to attack the apartment complex. One undercover FBI agent posed as a black-market arms dealer and met with one of the defendants, who attempted to purchase a bomb from the undercover agent.

Sentencing: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/three-southwest-kansas-men-sentenced-prison-plotting-bomb-somali-immigrants-garden-city

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