A Kentucky man, Brian Adams, 24, of Paintsville, has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison and one year of supervised release for a federal hate crime targeting children in a virtual classroom.
Adams pleaded guilty to transmitting threatening communications during an online fifth-grade class at Laureate Academy Charter School in Louisiana on October 14th, 2020.
The school was conducting classes virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to court documents, Adams used racial slurs and made threats of violence against the students and teachers, specifically threatening to “hang them by a tree.” The court found that these actions were motivated by hate.
“This prosecution should make clear that perpetrators of hate crimes hiding behind computer screens, hacking into teleconferences and disrupting virtual meetings will be held accountable. The defendant used racial epithets and threats against innocent children who were simply trying to get an education,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No child should ever have to endure racially motivated hatred like this in a classroom, a school or anywhere else. The Justice Department is committed to protecting children from such hate-filled assaults and to safeguarding their right to a safe and secure education.”
“Citizens should not fear threats based on their race at any time and especially for students while pursuing their education,” said U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working closely with federal, state and local law enforcement to ensure hate crimes are investigated, prosecuted and to ultimately hold perpetrators responsible for their actions.”
The FBI New Orleans Field Office investigated the case.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.