Mississippi Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime for Cross Burning
Friday, September 23, 2022
The Justice Department announced that Axel C. Cox, 23, has been charged with hate crime and arson violations for burning a cross in his front yard to threaten, interfere with and intimidate a Black family in Gulfport, Mississippi.
According to court documents, Cox is charged with one count of criminal interference with the right to fair housing and one count of using fire to commit a federal felony. The indictment alleges that on Dec. 3, 2020, Cox threatened, intimidated and interfered with a Black family’s enjoyment of their housing rights. According to the indictment, Cox burned a cross in his front yard, and used threatening and racially derogatory remarks toward his Black neighbors. Cox allegedly chose to burn the cross because of the victims’ race.
If convicted, Cox faces up to 10 years in prison for interfering with the victims’ housing rights and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for using fire to commit a federal felony. Cox also faces a fine of up to $250,000 with respect to each charge.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca for the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby for the FBI Jackson Field Office made the announcement.
More:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/mississippi-man-charged-federal-hate-crime-cross-burning
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Axel C. Cox
Gulfport man indicted on hate crime charge after burning cross to intimidate, threaten neighbors
September 23, 2022 WXXV Staff
A Gulfport man faces more than 20 years in prison and fines if he is convicted of a hate crime.
The Justice Department on Friday announced that Axel C. Cox, 23, has been indicted on charges of criminal interference with the right to fair housing and using fire to commit a federal felony.
The charges stem from a December 3, 2020 incident in which Cox burned a cross in his front yard and used threatening and racially derogatory comments toward his black neighbors in an effort to intimidate them. Allegedly, Cox chose to burn the cross because of the victims’ race.
The housing rights charge comes with a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison, while the arson charge is a minimum of 10 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, and a fine of up to $250,000 for each charge.
More:
https://www.wxxv25.com/gulfport-man-indicted-on-hate-crime-charge-after-burning-cross-to-intimidate-threaten-neighbors1050365-2/
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