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The FBI and its law enforcement partners close the book on a case involving the first sentencing under The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
Hate Crime
11/18/2011Mollie Halpern: The FBI and its law enforcement partners close the book on a case involving the first sentencing under The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. I’m Mollie Halpern of the FBI, and this is Gotcha.
The landmark legislation expands the FBI’s jurisdiction to investigate and defend civil rights in the United States.
Ed Gray: It underscores our effort that these racial-type crimes are not going to be tolerated.
Halpern: The case began when Frankie Maybee, Sean Popejoy, and a third man yelled racial epithets at five Hispanic men who pulled into an Arkansas gas station. The victims drove away, but the men chased them. Supervisory Special Agent Ed Gray…
Gray: One of the individuals was hanging out of the window, shaking a tire iron at them.
Halpern: The men repeatedly rammed the victims’ car. Then…
Grey: They flipped three times, and the vehicle burst into flames.
Halpern: All of the Hispanic men were injured. Maybee and Popejoy received strong sentences, followed by supervised release. They were also ordered to pay restitution to the victims. This is the FBI’s closed case of the week.
