Phillip Cline Jr, Interstate Threats, Maryland 2019

State: Maryland
Category: Violent Crime
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/elkton-man-pleads-guilty-making-threatening-interstate-communications" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

Baltimore, Maryland – Phillip Cline, Jr. has admitted to making threatening interstate communications against an auto loan business employee. Cline, 39, of Elkton, Maryland, used racial epithets during a recorded phone conversation to threaten the employee with physical harm.

During the February 1, 2019 phone call, the employee contacted Cline about his delinquent auto loan. Cline became upset and used racial slurs to threaten the employee, stating that his ‘white power friends’ would ‘hang your ass.’

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur, Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone announced the guilty plea. ‘The use of racial epithets and threats of physical harm is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,’ said U.S. Attorney Hur.

Cline faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. However, actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for Cline on October 5, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Cunningham and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case. U.S. Attorney Hur commended the FBI for its work in the investigation.

The case against Cline highlights the importance of protecting employees from racist threats and harassment. ‘We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that individuals who engage in hate crimes are held accountable,’ said Assistant Attorney General Dreiband.

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