Indiana
Indianapolis man pleads guilty to hate crime at neighbor

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis man has pleaded guilty to federal hate crime and weapons charges after threatening a Black neighbor, prosecutors said Friday.
Shepherd Hoehn, 51, became incensed over the neighbor hiring a construction crew to remove a tree last June 18 and burned a cross above the fence line facing the neighbor’s property; displayed a swastika on his fence; displayed a large sign containing several anti-Black racial slurs; displayed a machete near the sign; loudly played the Confederate anthem “Dixie” repeatedly; and threw eggs at the neighbor’s house, prosecutors said.
The FBI executed a search warrant at Hoehn’s home two weeks later and discovered several firearms and drug paraphernalia, they said.
“Hoehn’s hateful and threatening conduct, motivated by racial intolerance, is an egregious crime that will not be tolerated by the Justice Department,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pam Karlan of the department’s Civil Rights Division said. “Every person has a right to occupy, enjoy and feel safe in their homes, regardless of race, color or national origin.”
Hoehn’s sentencing date has not been set. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the charges.
-
Local News2 weeks ago
In a now-deleted post, Elon Musk refers to Indiana Senator Todd Young as a “deep state puppet”
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Ball State cancels staff training for LGBTQ 101, citing possible new Indiana law
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Governor Braun names an inspector general to investigate mismanagement, waste, and fraud
-
Local News2 weeks ago
A dental practice on Indianapolis’ east side experiences a data breach
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Following a court settlement, the Indiana Department of Health will make terminated pregnancy information available
-
Local News1 week ago
Downtown investments in Indianapolis are expected to yield billions of dollars
-
Local News7 days ago
Governor Braun demands that the project in the Hoosier National Forest be abandoned
-
Local News1 week ago
Innovative strategies used by Bloomington businesses and restaurants to cut down on food waste