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Missouri

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 Hate Crime Statistics Case Examples News Resources

DOJ Offices 
 


2023 Hate Crime Statistics for Missouri*

Bias Motivation Categories by Year

Bias Motivation Category

2021

2022

2023

Race/Ethnicity/Ancestry

131

119

113

Religion

27

35

34

Sexual Orientation

38

29

31

Disability

4

4

8

Gender

2

4

8

Gender Identity

9

8

11

Total:

211

199

205

Types of Crime

Crimes Against Persons18674.1%
Crimes Against Property5622.3%
Crimes Against Society93.6%

Bias Motivation Categories

Race/Ethnicity/Ancestry11355.1%
Religion3416.6%
Sexual Orientation3115.1%
Disability83.9%
Gender83.9%
Gender Identity115.4%

 


*2021 was the first year that the annual hate crimes statistics were reported entirely through the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).  As a result of the shift to NIBRS-only data collection, law enforcement agency participation in submitting all crime statistics, including hate crimes, fell significantly from 2020 to 2021.  


Case Examples

A Missouri man was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison, in addition to owing $551,217.91 in damages, for hate crime and arson violations after pleading guilty to burning down the Cape Girardeau Islamic Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

On April 24, 2020, the first morning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, at about 4:50 a.m., the defendant set fire to the Islamic Center at 298 Northwest End Boulevard, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Video showed him throwing multiple objects through the building’s glass window, causing it to break. He poured the contents of two gallon-sized containers throughout the foyer and down the hallway and then lit two fires that immediately spread through the inside of the building.

The Islamic Center suffered severe damage that rendered it unsuitable for use as a religious center. The defendant admitted that he set the fire because of the religious character of the building.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/missouri-man-sentenced-setting-fire-islamic-center

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/missouri-man-pleads-guilty-federal-hate-crime-and-arson-charges-burning-down-islamic-center

A Missouri man was sentenced to more than 21 years in prison without parole after pleading guilty for attempting to murder a teenager because of his sexual orientation.

According to the plea, after a chance meeting at the Kansas City Public Library on May 29, 2019, the defendant and victim talked briefly over Facebook Messenger. The defendant then went with the victim to the Swope Park area under the guise of looking for a place to engage in a sex act. Around the same time, the defendant wrote to his girlfriend that he “might shoot this boy” because of his sexual orientation. After arriving at a secluded area with the victim, the defendant shot the victim eight times.

The defendant fled from the woods toward his apartment and tried to avoid detection or arrest. Later that day, and in the days that followed, he told people that he shot the victim because of his sexual orientation.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/missouri-man-sentenced-hate-crime-attempted-murder-teen-because-his-sexual-orientation

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/kansas-city-missouri-man-pleads-guilty-federal-hate-crime-attempted-murder-teen

A man from St. Louis admitted threatening to blow up a St. Louis synagogue in 2021.

The defendant admitted to calling the St. Louis office of the FBI on Nov. 5, 2021 and saying, “I’m going to blow up a church.” He gave his name and identified his target as the Central Reform Congregation in St. Louis, saying he would act the next morning, while people were inside.

The defendant continued to contact the FBI with threats, saying he hated Jewish people “with rage.” In a third call, he gave his location, which was on the same street as the targeted Church. Officers arrested the man without further incident.

The charges carry a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/st-louis-man-admits-threatening-blow-st-louis-synagogue

A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri has charged a Missouri man with hate crime and firearm charges.

According to court documents, the defendant allegedly shot the victim, trying to kill him with a handgun because of his sexual orientation, causing significant non-fatal injuries.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. If guilty, the defendant faces up to life in prison on the hate crime charge and at least 10 years in prison on the firearm charge.

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

News

 

December 26, 2024

Missouri Man Indicted for Federal Hate Crime for Racially Motivated Threats Targeting St. Louis NAACP


December 19, 2024

Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights and Arson Charges for Setting Fire to Mormon Church


August 2, 2023

Missouri Man Sentenced for Setting Fire to Islamic Center


April 20, 2023

Missouri Man Sentenced for Hate Crime in Attempted Murder of Teen Because of His Sexual Orientation


December 15, 2022

Hate Crime Incidents in Missouri Jumped by Almost 70%


December 13, 2022

Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime and Arson Charges for Burning Down Islamic Center


August 8, 2022

Missouri Man Admits Threatening to Blow up a St. Louis Synagogue


July 7, 2022

Kansas City, Missouri, Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime in Attempted Murder of Teen


May 5, 2022

Missouri Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime and Arson for Burning Down a Church


September 22, 2021

FBI St. Louis and Partners Encourage the Public to Report Hate Crimes


August 11, 2021

Missouri Man Indicted on Federal Hate Crime and Firearm Charges


April 14, 2021

U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI Urge Public to Report Hate Crimes


August 26, 2020

Missouri Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm


May 12, 2020

Missouri Man Indicted for Hate Crime and Arson Charges


July 24, 2018

Missouri Man Sentenced to Two Years for Hate Crimes


March 28, 2018

Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crimes for Making Threats Against Augusta Mosque


 


Resources

The resources below include specific examples, experiences, or information related to Missouri.
Go to the Resources page to access all resources.

Film/Documentary | Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) | Law Enforcement, Victim Advocacy Groups/General Community

Beyond the Badge: Profile of a School Resource Officer


DOJ Offices

FBI Field Offices
FBI

 

Kansas City
1300 Summit Street
Kansas City, MO 64105

T: 816.512.8200
kansascity.fbi.gov
St. Louis
2222 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103

T: 314.589.2500
stlouis.fbi.gov

U.S. Attorneys' Offices
DOJ

 

Eastern District of Missouri (St. Louis)
www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/contact-us

Western District of Missouri (Kansas City)
www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/contact-us


CRS Regional Office
CRS

 

Central Regional Office
601 E. 12th Street
Suite 0802
Kansas City, MO 64106

T: 816.426.7434
F: 816.426.7441
askcrs@usdoj.gov
Updated February 3, 2025