Nashville Man Indicted for Hate Crime and Lying to the FBI
Nashville resident Christopher Beckham, 32, has been charged with violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and lying to the FBI, according to a federal indictment.
On October 24, 2017, Beckham allegedly attacked a family in the Middle District of Tennessee after making derogatory comments about the girls’ hijabs. He is accused of swinging a knife and punching at the father.
The indictment also alleges that Beckham falsely told FBI agents that the girls were trying to break into cars and that he never swung a knife at the father.
Beckham faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted of the hate crime charge. He also faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted of making false statements to the FBI.
Beckham was arrested on April 6, 2018, and appeared before a U.S. Magistrate judge on April 9, 2018. The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sara Beth Myers and Trial Attorneys Christine M. Siscaretti and Rachel Kincaid.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act prohibits willful intimidation or interference with another’s exercise of rights because of that person’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin.
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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