Fifth Conspirator Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Violation in Maryland

WASHINGTON—James Nowicki, 28, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty today to his involvement in hanging a raccoon on the porch of a black family from Africa, announced the Justice Department.

According to his plea agreement, in April 2010, Nowicki conspired with Joshua Wall, Billy Pratt, Brittany Whedbee, and Dena Whedbee to hang a dead raccoon from a noose on the porch of a family from Africa in order to frighten the family and interfere with their housing rights. Nowicki admitted that he and Dena Whedbee, his girlfriend, found a dead raccoon and that he gave Wall a rope to make a noose. Nowicki further admitted that he, Wall, and Pratt hung the raccoon from the noose later that night.

“Today the department secured a guilty plea from the fifth and final conspirator in a hateful scheme to intimidate an African family at their own home,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Right. “The Civil Rights Division will continue to aggressively prosecute acts of hate, which have no place in our country.”

Nowicki pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of violating the Fair Housing Act. He faces possible prison time on both charges. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for January 4, 2013.

Pratt, 24, of Baltimore; Wall, 20, of Essex, Maryland; Dena Whedbee, 42, of Baltimore; and Brittany Whedbee, 20, of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty for their involvement in the conspiracy. The sentencing for Pratt and Wall is scheduled for August 17, 2012. Dena and Brittany Whedbee are scheduled for sentencing on December 14, 2012.

This case was investigated by Special Agent Mia Winkley of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Civil Rights Trial Attorney Angie Cha and Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Michael Cunningham.