William Patrick Syring, Hate Crime, Virginia 2023

Arlington, VA – In a shocking turn of events, William Patrick Syring, a 61-year-old Arlington resident, was sentenced to 5 years in prison for committing a hate crime against employees of the Arab American Institute (AAI). Syring’s actions, which involved sending over 700 threatening emails to AAI employees, culminated in 5 death threats in 2017.

According to court documents, Syring previously pleaded guilty in 2008 to sending threatening emails to AAI employees. Evidence presented at trial showed that Syring used nearly identical language that he admitted were threats in 2008 as he did in 2017. AAI employees were frightened of Syring because he had sent them death threats in the past and continued to do so over a decade later.

The case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office, and is being prosecuted by Civil Rights Division Senior Legal Counsel Mark Blumberg and Trial Attorney Nick Reddick. "Threats aimed to intimidate individuals based on their ethnic or racial origin are despicable violations of civil rights freedoms protected by our constitution," said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. "The government will continue to fight to preserve the basic rights of people to live, work, and speak in their communities without the fear of hostility based on racism."

The FBI’s Washington Field Office took the lead in investigating the case, with Assistant Director in Charge Timothy R. Slater stating, "Investigating hate crimes is one of the FBI’s highest criminal priorities; these hateful acts are not only an attack on the victim, but are meant to intimidate an entire community." This sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to holding accountable those who seek to violate the civil rights of the people of our community through violent threats.

Evidence presented at trial showed that Syring’s actions had a profound impact on the AAI employees, who lived in fear that he would follow through on his threats and physically harm them. According to witness testimony, many AAI employees lived in constant fear, not only for themselves but also for their families and loved ones.

On May 9, Syring was convicted on all 14 counts in the indictment, including seven hate crime charges and seven interstate threats charges. His sentencing marks a significant victory for the FBI and the Civil Rights Division, and serves as a reminder that hate crimes will not be tolerated in our society.

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