Joshua Brandon Vallum, Hate Crime Murder, Mississippi 2014

Joshua Brandon Vallum, a 29-year-old man from Lucedale, Mississippi, has pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime for murdering Mercedes Williamson, a 17-year-old transgender woman from Alabama. The crime took place in the late summer of 2014.

According to the guilty plea, Vallum, a member of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Almighty Latin Kings and Queens Nation, began a consensual sexual relationship with Williamson, who identified and presented as female, but kept the relationship secret from his family, friends, and other members of the Latin Kings. However, he terminated the relationship around August or September 2014.

Vallum's actions were motivated by Williamson's gender identity, and he committed a horrific and reprehensible act of violence against her. The murder was a horrific attack on a vulnerable member of the community, and it undermines America's principle of equality under the law.

The U.S. Attorney's Office, in conjunction with the DOJ Civil Rights Division, worked tirelessly to ensure that justice was done in this case. The investigation involved the FBI, George County Sheriff's Office, and the Office of the District Attorney for the 19th Judicial District.

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch praised the guilty plea, stating that it reaffirms the nation's commitment to combating hate crimes based on gender identity. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta added that the Shepard-Byrd Act was passed to protect vulnerable communities, including the transgender community, from harm.

Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze of the FBI's Jackson Division also commented on the guilty plea, stating that hate crime has no place in society and that the FBI will continue to work with law enforcement partners to vigorously investigate hate crimes and bring those to justice who violate the civil rights of citizens.

Joshua Brandon Vallum, 29, of Lucedale, Mississippi, pleaded guilty to violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. He was charged with assaulting and murdering Mercedes Williamson because she was a transgender woman.

Defendant: Joshua Brandon Vallum

Criminal Charges: Violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act

City and State: Lucedale, Mississippi

Exact Date: Not specified (crime took place in 2014)

Sentence or Outcome: Guilty plea, awaiting sentencing

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/mississippi-man-pleads-guilty-hate-crime-murdering-transgender-victim-because-her-gender