A Colorado Springs woman, Deanna West, has entered a guilty plea to a charge of maliciously conveying false information about a threat involving fire. The case centers around an incident where a burning cross was placed in front of a campaign sign defaced with a racial slur.
The plea agreement reveals that West, along with Derrick Bernard Jr. and Ashley Blackcloud, conspired to disseminate disinformation about the threat during the 2023 Colorado Springs mayoral run-off election. This election featured two candidates: one Black and one white. Before the run-off election, one defendant sent messages indicating plans to "mobilize my squad in defense" and expressed intentions to prevent "the klan" from gaining political control.
On April 23, 2023, Bernard collaborated with Blackcloud and West to stage the cross-burning at an intersection in Colorado Springs. They then allegedly spread false information about the event through an anonymous email sent to various news outlets and civic organizations.
United States District Court Judge Regina M. Rodriguez oversaw the hearing where West's guilty plea was entered. Her sentencing is scheduled for June 13, 2025. Meanwhile, Bernard and Blackcloud are awaiting trial.
The investigation into this case was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with significant support from the Colorado Springs Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Bryan Fields and Rebecca Weber are prosecuting the case.
