A man from Ruther Glen was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to two federal hate crime charges, both involving attempts to kill, and to discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence. The sentencing took place in Richmond, Virginia.
Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, stated: “As our nation recovers from recent political violence, today’s verdict is a welcome reminder that terror motivated by hate will not be tolerated. My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and vigorously prosecute those who choose brutality and aggression over civility and reason.”
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said: “No one in this country should be hunted down and shot at because of who they are or where they come from. This sentence reflects the Justice Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting communities from hate-fueled violence and to hold accountable those who attack others based on prejudice.”
The case involved Douglas Wayne Cornett following a box truck driven by O.G., an adult Latino male, into a Sheetz gas station along Interstate 95 in Spotsylvania County. Cornett then asked J.M., another adult Latino male and friend of O.G., about how long O.G. had been in the United States. After learning that O.G. had arrived within the last two years, Cornett drew a handgun and fired six rounds at the victims, striking O.G. three times and J.M. once. Cornett later confessed his actions were based on his perception of their national origin.
The investigation was conducted by the Richmond Field Office of the FBI with assistance from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
Related information can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia or through PACER by searching Case No. 3:25-cr-91.
