Benjamin Jaramillo Hernandez, Hate Crime, Oregon 2018

An Oregon man has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for committing a hate crime targeting St. Mary Catholic Church in Eugene in September 2018 and illegally possessing ammunition.

Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, stated, ‘Mr. Hernandez used intimidation and threats of violence to terrorize a single congregation, but the harm from hate crimes like this extends beyond the specific individuals or group targeted. These crimes threaten the security, freedom and well-being of entire communities.’

The incidents began on September 9, 2018, when Hernandez was escorted from the St. Mary property after an angry outburst during the sacrament of communion. Five days later, a church employee reported that someone had dispensed pepper spray on the exterior door handles and through the mail slot of the St. Mary office front door, causing employees to suffer burning sensations in their fingers and respiratory distress.

A Eugene police officer and FBI agent identified Hernandez in church surveillance footage as the person responsible for both incidents. On September 16, 2018, Hernandez was again spotted near St. Mary, shouting at a witness, ‘I’ve got something for you right here,’ while pointing to a bag he was carrying.

A few days later, on September 20, St. Mary employees reported finding a threatening note and seven 10mm Sig hollow point bullets left in the office. The note threatened the church with ‘2 MP5s w/ 50 rounds each,’ a type of submachine gun. The note concluded: ‘Eugene is going on the [expletive] map.’

Benjamin Jaramillo Hernandez, 70, pleaded guilty to a two-count Information charging him with obstruction or attempted obstruction of persons in the free exercise of their religious beliefs and unlawful possession of ammunition on February 12, 2019.

The sentencing was announced by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams of the District of Oregon. The case highlights the severity of hate crimes and their impact on communities.

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