Steven Joshua Dinkle, Cross Burning and Obstruction of Justice, Alabama 2014
A former KKK leader has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for his role in a cross burning in Ozark, Alabama.
Steven Joshua Dinkle, 28, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge W. Keith Watkins on February 3, 2014, for his role in the cross burning in 2009.
According to documents filed with the court, Dinkle and his KKK recruit, Thomas Windell Smith, met at Dinkle’s home on May 8, 2009, and decided to burn a cross in a local African-American neighborhood.
Dinkle constructed a wooden cross about six feet tall, wrapped jeans and a towel around it to make it more flammable, and loaded it into Smith’s truck.
On the night of the cross burning, Dinkle and Smith drove to the African-American neighborhood in Ozark and set the cross on fire at the entrance to the community.
During the plea hearing, Dinkle admitted that he intended to scare and intimidate residents of the African-American community by threatening the use of force against them.
He further admitted that he burned the cross because of the victims’ race and color and because they were occupying homes in that area.
The case was investigated by the FBI with the assistance of the Dale County Sheriff’s Office and the Ozark Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerusha T. Adams of the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Chiraag Bains of the Civil Rights Division.
Dinkle’s co-conspirator, Smith, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate housing rights in December 2013, and he is scheduled to be sentenced on August 19, 2014.
Dinkle’s mother, Pamela Morris, is charged with two counts of perjury arising out of the investigation into the cross burning.
Defendant: Steven Joshua Dinkle
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to violate housing rights, criminal interference with the right to fair housing, and obstruction of justice
City and State: Ozark, Alabama
Date: February 3, 2014
Sentence: 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release
Defendant’s mother, Pamela Morris, is charged with two counts of perjury arising out of the investigation into the cross burning.
The case is a reminder that hate crimes will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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