FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2004 WWW.USDOJ.GOV CRT (202) 514-2008 TDD (202) 514-1888 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Justice Department today announced the sentencing of two Missouri men, both avowed white supremacists, for participating in a June 2001 racially motivated assault at a Springfield, Missouri restaurant.
These men targeted their victims for a brutal crime because of the color of their skin; for that they will serve well-deserved years behind bars, said R. Alexander Acosta, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. We remain committed to vigorously prosecuting bias-motivated crimes. Kenneth Johnsen was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for his role in the violent, racially-motivated attack on two African-American men at a Dennys restaurant in Springfield. Steven Heldenbrand, who cooperated with the government, was sentenced to two years and eight months. On Aug. 2, Michael Angelo Osorio and Mark Thomas Kooms were each sentenced to four years and three months for their part in the crime. On the same day, Michael Shane McCormick, who also cooperated with the governments prosecution of the case, was sentenced to two years in prison. All five defendants pleaded guilty earlier this year.
A civil rights violation is an offense against the entire community, said Todd P. Graves, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. Putting these defendants in prison sends a clear message that those who violate the civil rights of others will pay a price. We will not tolerate bias-motivated crime and we will not allow white supremacists or anyone else who acts out of racial hatred toward others to escape the just consequences of their actions. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Springfield Police Department jointly investigated the matter. The Criminal Section of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorneys Office jointly prosecuted the case.
Prosecuting the perpetrators of bias-based crimes remains a top priority of the Justice Department. Since 2001, the Civil Rights Division has charged 114 defendants in 73 cases of bias-motivated crime. 04-563
Source: US Department of Justice
