A White former firefighter pleaded guilty to a federal charge of interfering with a Black family’s housing rights after he hung a noose outside their apartment, CBS DFW reports.
Glenn Eugene, 64, intimidated, interfered and threatened force on a Texas family because they were African-American and living above his apartment, according to court documents obtained by CBS DFW
In December 2017, Halfin bought a baby doll from Walmart, made a noose and hung the doll on a railing in front of a staircase that the family uses to access their apartment, per court documents.
“No one should be afraid to go home at night,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox in a press release. “Our community will not tolerate crimes of intimidation or bigotry, and my office will continue to prosecute all those who persecute others based on their race, color, ethnicity, or religious beliefs.”
Halfin repeatedly harassed and intimidated the family in separate instances, per reports.
Acting Assistant Attorney General, who’s part of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division, said that the DOJ will go after people who commit hate crimes.
“The Justice Department will not tolerate acts of intimidation and fear, or illegal threats against any individual or family because of their race,” said Acting Assistant Attorney John Gore. “We will continue to prosecute hate crime offenders.”
Halfin faces no more than one year in federal prison, which is the statutory maximum and a $100,000 fine.
He will be sentenced at a later date.
