A Massachusetts man was indicted Feb. 15 for allegedly committing a hate crime.
John Sullivan, 77, of Quincy, is charged with one count of violating the Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Act, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release. Sullivan allegedly used his vehicle to willfully cause bodily injury to a victim because of their actual and perceived race and national origin Dec. 2, 2022 .
“Hate has no place here in Massachusetts," U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins said in the release. "As this case demonstrates, we will aggressively prosecute hate crimes and other civil-rights offenses committed because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion or national origin of any individual or group.
Those found guilty of hate crimes may face a maximum sentence of 10 years along with three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, according to the release.
Rollins commented she considers hate crimes to be a priority, the release reported. She said she established a Criminal Civil Rights Unit with a hotline dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of civil rights violations.
The End Hate Now hotline, 1-83-END-H8-NOW (1-833-634-8669), is intended for residents to report occurrences of hate and potential criminal behavior, the release reported. The goal of the hotline is to provide a safe environment where Massachusetts residents and visitors can voice their concerns and report worrying or troubling incidents of hatred, potential hate crimes and other hateful ideas or behaviors.
The hotline is available in English, Spanish, Cantonese and French, according to the release. It allows callers to remain anonymous or provide their contact information if they wish.
"Our thoughts are with the victim and their family at this time," Rollins said in the release. "The alleged hate-filled and violent behavior of Mr. Sullivan is reprehensible, and we intend to hold him accountable.”
“There is no way to undo the alleged damage that Mr. Sullivan did to this victim with his hateful, repulsive and violent behavior," Special Agent in Charge of FBI Boston Joseph R. Bonavolonta said in the release. "No one should ever be targeted or threatened because of their race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender or immigration status.
"Hate crimes are not only an attack on the victim, but they also instill fear and threaten and intimidate an entire community, which is why the FBI worked so closely with the Quincy Police Department to bring Mr. Sullivan to face justice," Bonavolonta added, according to the release. "We urge members of our community to report incidents like this to us because hate-based violence has no place in our society and will not be tolerated.”
