COLUMBUS, OH – A brazen act of antisemitic violence near the Ohio State University campus has landed 20-year-old Timur Mamatov, of Tipp City, Ohio, facing federal prison time. Mamatov pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to a hate crime stemming from an assault on two Jewish students last November.
The November 10th attack unfolded outside a North High Street bar, where Mamatov and an accomplice targeted five students. Court documents reveal Mamatov specifically targeted the students because they were Jewish, singling out one victim wearing a “Chai” pendant – a recognizable symbol of Judaism. After confirming their religious affiliation, Mamatov unleashed a brutal attack, punching one student so forcefully it fractured his jaw. The assault didn’t stop there; a second victim sustained a fractured nose as the fight spilled into the street.
“Violence against people of faith is illegal and unacceptable,” stated Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This Department of Justice will aggressively enforce federal laws to ensure that all Americans feel safe in practicing and expressing their faith.” U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II echoed that sentiment, bluntly stating, “No American should fear being violently attacked based on their religious beliefs.”
The FBI’s Cincinnati division, alongside the Ohio State University Police Division and the Columbus Division of Police, spearheaded the investigation. “Antisemitic violence has no place in our society,” said Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. “Crimes motivated by hate spread fear throughout the community and deeply impact the sense of safety of all residents.” The collaborative effort brought the case to fruition, resulting in Mamatov’s guilty plea.
Mamatov was charged by a bill of information on July 3rd with violating the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. A conviction under this act carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years behind bars. The actual sentence will be determined by U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley, taking into account advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Noah R. Litton and Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Cameron Bell are prosecuting the case.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of antisemitism and the Justice Department’s commitment to prosecuting hate-fueled violence. The announcement was jointly made by Dhillon, Gerace, Iatarola, Ohio State University Police Chief Dennis Jeffrey, and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant, signaling a unified front against hate crimes in the region.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
