Houghton man convicted of federal hate crimes for plotting to target blacks and Jews and defacing synagogue

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten announced in a press release Tuesday that Nathan Weeden, 23, of Houghton, Michigan, was sentenced to 26 months in prison for conspiring with other members of a white supremacist group, The Base, for victimizing blacks and Jews, and for defacing Temple Jacob in Hancock using neo-Nazi symbols.

“Today’s sentence sends a strong message that hate will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “No one should be the target of hatred because of their race, ethnicity, religion or other status. When hateful words turn into hateful acts, my office will use every tool we have to protect the public and ensure justice, as we did in this case.

“This sentencing sends a strong message that threatening and intimidating people based on their religion, race or ethnicity will not be tolerated in this country,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Criminal Investigation Division. Civil Rights Department of Justice. “Violence fueled by white supremacy is a stain on our history and perpetrators of such violence will be held accountable. No one should live in fear because of who they are, what they believe, or where they worship. The Department of Justice will continue to investigate and prosecute those who desecrate places of worship and who conspire to intimidate people seeking to exercise the legal rights guaranteed to all Americans.

In January, Weeden was convicted at trial of one count of conspiracy to injure, oppress, threaten or intimidate any person in the exercise of their rights and one count of defacement, intentional damage or destruction of religious property because of the person's race or ethnic characteristics. people associated with this property.

Weeden's co-conspirators, Richard Tobin and Yousef Barasneh, had previously been convicted of federal crimes in this incident.

In September 2019, Weeden, Tobin, and Barasneh – all members of The Base, a multi-state white supremacist organization – used an encrypted messaging platform to discuss vandalism of property associated with African Americans and Jewish Americans.

According to the press release, Weeden and his co-conspirators dubbed their plan “Operation Kristallnacht,” which is German for “Night of Broken Glass.” This term referred to the events that took place on November 9 and 10, 1938, during which the Nazis murdered Jews and burned and destroyed their homes, synagogues, schools and places of business. Weeden carried out this plan on September 21, 2019, when he spray-painted swastikas and symbols associated with the Base on the exterior walls of Temple Jacob.

In its sentencing memorandum (see below), the government urged the Court to sentence Weeden to at least 36 months of imprisonment, taking into account the nature and extent of his hate crimes, his continued dedication to violent neo-Nazi ideology, his prior illegal conversion from a rifle to a fully automatic weapon, his lack of remorse, the danger he poses to the community, and the need for deterrence.

“Intimidation, vandalism and other hateful acts should never be used to threaten any group of people in this state or nation, and today's sentence reflects that belief,” said Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson. of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI remains committed to fighting hate crimes and achieving justice for all. If you are a victim or witness of a hate crime, call 1-800-225-5324 or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

“Responsibility matters. Today's sentence is representative of our community's perspective on the violence inspired by hate crimes. Individuals who engage in this behavior will be identified and fully prosecuted under the law,” said Special Agent in Charge James Deir of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Detroit Field Office. “ATF is steadfast in its commitment to protecting everyone in this great state from violent criminals fueled by hatred and intolerance. »

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler and Prosecutor Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division's Criminal Section. The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hancock Police Department.

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