Jason DeSimas, Racially Motivated Hate Crime, Washington 2022

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - In a disturbing case of racial violence, Jason DeSimas, 47, of Tacoma, Washington, pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime and making false statements in connection with a December 8, 2018, racially-motivated assault.

The assault occurred at a bar in Lynnwood, Washington, where DeSimas and three other men from across the Pacific Northwest attacked a Black man who was working as a DJ. The group also assaulted two other men who came to the DJ’s aid. During the assault, the attackers shouted racial slurs and made Nazi salutes.

DeSimas was a prospective member of a white supremacist group that was traveling in the Seattle area to celebrate a known white supremacist who was killed in a standoff with police in the 1980s. He had discussed using “mutual combat” against members of groups he opposed, including Antifa and Black Lives Matter.

DeSimas admitted to making false statements to the FBI during the investigation of the case. He falsely claimed that neither he nor anyone else used a racial slur during the assault. In fact, DeSimas now admits that he repeatedly used a racial slur before, during, and after the assault.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, both sides will recommend a 37-month prison term. U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones is not bound by the recommendation, and the ultimate sentence will be determined by Judge Jones after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

DeSimas is the second of four defendants to plead guilty in the case. Daniel Delbert Dorson, 27, of Corvallis, Oregon, has also pleaded guilty and is scheduled for sentencing on August 19, 2022. Jason Stanley, 46, of Boise, Idaho, and Randy Smith, 42, of Eugene, Oregon, are also charged in the case and are in custody awaiting trial.

The hate crime charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, while the false statements charge carries a maximum penalty of five years. The case was investigated by the FBI, with the assistance of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca S. Cohen and Ye-Ting Woo and Trial Attorney Christine M. Siscaretti of the Civil Rights Division.

The case highlights the ongoing problem of racial violence in the United States. It is a reminder that hate crimes will not be tolerated, and those who commit them will be held accountable.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/second-four-men-charged-racially-motivated-hate-crime-enters-guilty-plea