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Avery Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime in Michigan
Everett Dwayne Avery, 36, of Detroit, Mich., pleaded guilty in federal court today to a federal hate crime, admitting that he assaulted a victim because he believed the victim was gay.
The assault occurred on March 7, 2011, at a convenience store in Detroit, resulting in the victim suffering a fractured eye socket and other facial injuries.
Avery faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for the crime, which he admitted to during the plea proceedings.
The case was investigated by the Detroit Division of the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pam Thompson and Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
‘Hate-fueled incidents have no place in a civilized society,’ said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. ‘The Justice Department is committed to using all the tools in our law enforcement arsenal, including the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, to prosecute acts of violence motivated by hate.’
Avery’s sentencing is scheduled for November 28, 2012, before Judge John Corbett O’Meara.
‘A hate crime is different than a simple assault because it is an attack on not just one individual victim, but an attack on everyone who shares a particular characteristic,’ said U.S. Attorney McQuade. ‘By passing this statute, Congress made it clear that an attack based on a victim’s sexual orientation will not be tolerated in America.’
The FBI is committed to protecting the community from those who are motivated by hate to victimize anyone as the result of their sexual orientation, said Special Agent in Charge Foley.
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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