Paintsville’s Brian Adams, 24, has been handed a one-year-and-one-day sentence for a chilling online hate crime. The federal hate crime charge stems from a threat he made against a fifth-grade class at the Laureate Academy Charter School over Zoom on Oct. 14, 2020.
According to court documents, Adams unleashed a torrent of racial epithets and a violent threat against the students and teachers during the virtual class session. His chilling message: ‘I’ll hang you by a tree.’
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has made it clear that such despicable acts won’t be tolerated. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized, ‘No child should ever have to endure this kind of racially motivated hatred.’ Adams pleaded guilty to transmitting threatening communications and was sentenced accordingly.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana echoed these sentiments: ‘Citizens must never fear threats based on their race, especially while pursuing education.’ The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring that hate crimes are fully investigated and prosecuted.
Lyonel Myrthil, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI New Orleans Field Office, added a stern reminder: ‘Hate has no place in our classrooms. Protecting Americans’ constitutional rights is at the heart of our mission.’
The case was investigated by the FBI New Orleans Field Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey N. Knight, with assistance from Trial Attorney Mary Hahn of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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