TAMPA, Fla. – A North Carolina man was sentenced to 21 years and ten months in federal prison for kidnapping in aid of racketeering activity and assault in aid of racketeering.
Joshua Hall, 44, pleaded guilty on October 21, 2022.
According to court documents, Hall was a member of the Unforgiven, a violent white supremacy organization that operates as an enterprise engaging in racketeering activity, and whose members and associates have committed acts and threats involving murder, kidnapping, robbery, distribution of controlled substances, and tampering with witnesses.
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According to the Department of Justice, members often carry out acts of extreme violence to gain entry into the gang and are required to get tattoos, such as swastikas, iron crosses, and lightning bolts.
The Unforgiven commit violence against perceived racial enemies as well as members of its own group who fail to abide by their constitution and bylaws.
The gang often revokes membership of those who violate their code by using extreme violence to remove membership tattoos or “patches,” which are usually in “kill zones” on members’ bodies.
Hall and co-defendants were directed by members of the Unforgiven Council to violently assault a particular victim.
Hall violently assaulted the victim in a vehicle, then took the victim’s jewelry, cell phone, and tattoo equipment.
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The victim tried to leave the vehicle, but the doors were locked.
Hall and others then drove to a home in Pasco County where they ordered the victim into a back bedroom, beat the victim, and forcibly tattooed over the victim’s neck, face, and chest, including the victim’s “patch” on the back of his neck.
The victim was bloodied and dazed from the assault.
“This is a huge win for public safety,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “Today’s decision underscores our commitment to work with partners – in this case the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office – and combat violent crime wherever it exists.” ATF has been investigating the Unforgiven’s criminal acts since October 2015.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.
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