A Wisconsin man admitted his guilt in making racially charged threats to Black residents living in his apartment complex in West Allis.
According to a March 23 news release shared by the Justice Department, William McDonald, 45, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count and one felony count of threatening and prying on Black residents who were looking for Housing.
“No one should feel unsafe in their home or be subjected to harmful and derogatory threats because of the color of their skin,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said in the release. “The Justice Department will continue to protect the housing rights of all individuals and vigorously prosecute those who use racially charged threats to drive people from their homes.”
McDonald admitted he slashed the tires and broke the windshield of a Black woman's car while it was parked outside her multifamily unit in March 2021, according to the release. Moreover, he said he used racial slurs, threatened physical harm and demanded the woman leave the city.
When the Black family moved into the apartment building he resided in, McDonald tagged the family’s door with racial graffiti that included a message to leave, along with hurling racial slurs to the family, the release reported.
McDonald faces up to 11 years in prison, according to the release. His sentencing has been scheduled for June 29.
“The conduct at issue in this case strikes at the very core of the civil rights guaranteed to every American citizen under federal law," U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad said in the release. "I commend the courage of those targeted by Mr. McDonald for coming forward. The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to working with all our federal, state and local partners to hold individuals who violate the civil rights of others fully accountable under federal law.”
