Kelly Schneider, Hate Crime, Idaho 2017

In a shocking display of brutality, Kelly Schneider, 23, of Nampa, Idaho, was sentenced to 336 months in prison for violently assaulting Steven Nelson because he was a gay man, resulting in Mr. Nelson’s death. This horrific crime was committed on April 29, 2016, in a wildlife area near Lake Lowell.

The crime was a result of a plan hatched by Schneider and his cohorts to rob Mr. Nelson, who had responded to a solicitation for sex on backpage.com. Schneider had posted a shirtless photo of himself on the website and met with Mr. Nelson the next evening. However, Schneider took Mr. Nelson’s money without engaging in any sexual act with him.

Before the encounter, Schneider told his friends that he was not gay and would not let anyone who was gay touch him. This disgusting display of homophobia ultimately led to Mr. Nelson’s death. Schneider physically assaulted Mr. Nelson, kicking him 20-30 times with steel-toed boots and repeatedly using a homophobic slur.

Schneider was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 10, 2017, with one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act. He pleaded guilty to the charge on February 7, 2017. He was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill.

“Kelly Schneider assaulted and killed a man because of the man’s sexual orientation,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler. “This is a federal crime, and the Justice Department will continue to work with our federal and state law enforcement partners to enforce our federal hate crimes laws.”

Schneider was sentenced earlier this month in state court for first-degree murder based on Mr. Nelson’s death. The state court sentenced him to a fixed 28-year term of imprisonment and life indeterminate. Schneider’s federal sentence will be served concurrently to the state sentence.

The Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force, conducted the murder investigation. The FBI conducted the federal hate crime investigation.

Schneider’s sentence includes five years of supervised release and a $5,000 fine. This is a stark reminder of the severity of hate crimes and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

As our nation continues to grapple with issues of hate and intolerance, this case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of such actions. We must continue to work towards creating a society where everyone can live without fear of persecution or violence.

Related Federal Cases