Montgomery, Alabama - Thomas Windell Smith, 24, of Dothan, Alabama, pleaded guilty in federal court last Friday to one count of conspiring to violate housing rights. The charge relates to his participation in a cross burning at the entrance to an African American community in Ozark, Alabama, on May 8, 2009.
During his plea, Smith admitted that he and a co-conspirator agreed to burn a cross together in order to intimidate the African American residents. Using materials from around his home, the co-conspirator constructed a wooden cross about six feet tall and wrapped cloth around the cross. The co-conspirator loaded the cross into Smith’s truck. With Smith driving and the co-conspirator providing directions, the two men transported the cross to a predominantly African American residential neighborhood. They unloaded the cross at the entrance to the community. There, the co-conspirator poured fuel on the cross, stood it up in view of several houses, and set it on fire.
“The defendant’s crime illustrates the damage hate crimes can do to entire communities, making people feel unsafe in their own homes," said Jocelyn Samuels, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. “We’d like to think these offenses are a thing of the past, but the reality is that they happen here in the 21st century. The Justice Department is committed to stamping them out."
“This defendant not only committed a federal crime, but committed a contemptible action of hate," stated U.S. Attorney Beck. “Citizens in the Middle District of Alabama should not and will not tolerate such actions. I hope this prosecution sends a clear message that these hateful demonstrations will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Sentencing is yet to be scheduled. Smith faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 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 Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: usaalm.press@usdoj.gov
Telephone: (334) 551-1755
Fax: (334) 223-7617
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
