Randy Smith, a 42-year-old Oregon man, pleaded guilty to hate crime and false statement charges in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The crime occurred on December 8, 2018, in a bar in Lynnwood, Washington.
Smith, a member of a white supremacist support group, assaulted T.S., a Black man, who was serving as the disc jockey at the bar. Smith, along with other group members, repeatedly punched and kicked T.S., calling him racial slurs. Two bystanders who attempted to intervene were also assaulted and sustained injuries.
As part of his plea agreement, Smith admitted to participating in the assault because of T.S.’s actual and perceived race. He also admitted to making false statements to FBI agents about the circumstances surrounding the assault.
Smith will be sentenced on November 18 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the hate crime charge. He also faces up to 5 years in prison for the false statement charge.
Randy Smith was charged in an indictment that was unsealed on December 18, 2020. Three other men, Jason DeSimas and Daniel Dorson, previously pleaded guilty in this matter.
Smith also pleaded guilty to an unlawful possession of a firearm charge, arising from conduct in Oregon in 2020. He will face up to 10 years in prison for this charge.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William McLaren of the District of Oregon. U.S. Attorney Nicholas W. Brown of the Western District of Washington and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Civil Rights Division made the announcement.
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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