Ohio

An Ohio man was charged with using Molotov cocktails to burn a church in Chesterfield, Ohio that planned to host drag shows.

According to the charges, the defendant attempted to set fire to the church after learning that the church would be holding multiple drag show events the following weekend.

These are serious allegations. But the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ohio-man-charged-attempting-burn-down-church-planned-host-drag-show-events

An Ohio man pleaded guilty to setting fire to a church, and now faces up to 20 years in prison.

According to evidence, the defendant broke into the Mount Zion Church in Baltimore, Ohio, on November 27, 2021, and spread an accelerant before setting the church on fire, which resulted in significant damage. During the hearing, the defendant admitted that he intentionally set the fire because of the religious character of the church.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ohio-man-pleads-guilty-setting-fire-church

A Cincinnati man has been charged with a federal hate crime for physically assaulting a student.

According to evidence, on August 17, 2021, the defendant attacked an Asian American student on Calhoun Street at the University of Cincinnati. He allegedly made racist comments, including, “Go back to your country…You brought the kung flu here…You’re going to die for bringing it.” After making the threats, the defendant allegedly punched the victim causing multiple injuries, including a concussion and cuts on their face. Two witnesses intervened and one held the defendant down until law enforcement arrived.

An indictment is a serious accusation. But the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/cincinnati-man-charged-federal-hate-crime-physically-assaulting-asian-american-student

An Ohio man pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to commit a hate crime, which, because it involved an attempt to kill, is punishable by up to life in prison.

The man had plotted to shoot sorority students at a university in Ohio, identifying himself as an “incel” or “involuntary celibate.” The incel movement is an online community that seeks to commit violence against women in support of their belief that they have been unjustly denied sexual or romantic attention.

According to the charges, the defendant allegedly wrote a manifesto stating he would “slaughter” women “out of hatred, jealousy, and revenge” and later conducted surveillance at the university. He also maintained profiles on a popular incel website, drafting hundreds of posts. Law enforcement found guns, ammunition, body armor, and other tactical equipment in the defendant’s residence and car.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/highland-county-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-hate-crime

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ohio-man-charged-hate-crime-related-plot-conduct-mass-shooting-women-illegal-possession

A federal court sentenced a former Columbus man to six months in prison and a $50,000 fine for a hate crime.

According to evidence, the man threatened his neighbors and their guests during an outdoor gathering in November, 2020. During the confrontation, he made a series of references to gassing Jewish people, chopping them up, and burning them in ovens. He threatened to poison and shoot their dog, and “burn to the ground” a garage that the neighbors were remodeling. He shouted more anti-Semitic slurs, spat at one of the neighbors, and broke one of their windows.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/former-columbus-man-sentenced-prison-hate-crime-involved-making-antisemitic-threats

An Ohio man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and attempting to commit a hate crime.

The defendant planned to target Jewish congregants at a Toledo-area synagogue while they worshipped. He met online and in person with undercover FBI agents over several months to discuss these plans. During those meetings, he stated that he wanted to kill a rabbi and that he had conducted research to determine when the Jewish sabbath was so that more people would be present. He was arrested after taking possession of two semi-automatic rifles.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-sentenced-20-years-prison-attempting-provide-material-support-isis-and-attempting-commit

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-pleads-guilty-attempting-provide-material-support-isis-and-attempting-commit-attack