MIAMI – A chilling sentence was handed down this week as John Kevin Lapinski Jr., 41, from Margate, Florida, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for a series of firearm offenses and plotting attacks against Jewish and Black Americans.
Lapinski was nailed on multiple counts including possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, possession of a firearm by a person subject to a court order, possession of an unregistered silencer, and possession of body armor by a violent felon. U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith meted out the severe sentence of 300 months.
The Margate Police Department responded to shots fired in a residential neighborhood on October 31, 2024, leading them to Lapinski, who was legally prohibited from owning firearms. The search at his residence turned up an arsenal: five firearms, over 3,000 rounds of ammunition, firearm parts and accessories, two silencers, body armor, smoke grenades, a Ghillie suit, and tactical gear.
But the chilling discovery didn’t end there. Maps with racial slurs targeting Black and Jewish individuals were found, along with a “target list” detailing groups to attack based on race and religion. The list included a Jewish member of Congress, local synagogues, Jewish-owned businesses, and other religious and ethnically identified sites. Lapinski was also linked to an August 2024 shooting at the home and vehicle of a Jewish resident.
“This defendant stockpiled weapons, tactical gear, and detailed attack plans to terrorize Jewish and Black Americans in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones. “Thanks to the swift work of our law enforcement partners, his plan never became reality.” Lapinski’s sentence sends a clear message that hate-fueled violence will be met with decisive federal prosecution.
The ATF, FBI, and Margate Police Department worked together on this investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton prosecuted the case. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dedication of law enforcement to protect citizens from those who seek to spread terror based on race and religion.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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