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Hate crimes carry serious penalties

There are many differences between Russia and the United States. One difference that has been in the news lately is the gay propaganda laws in Russia. These laws limit the average Russian citizen’s speech, and encourage hate crimes. However, in the United States, our laws protect people from being persecuted for race, sex, national origin and even sexual orientation. We call the offenses created by these laws hate crimes.

The federal government charged Brice Johnson in Springtown, Texas with a hate crime. The government alleges that Johnson went on meetme.com, and arranged to meet another male user for sex. The user travelled to Johnson’s home. Johnson reportedly gave the police different accounts about what happened next. One, he found the victim beaten in his car. Two, beat the man up because he touched Johnson’s crotch and put the victim beaten up in the trunk of his car. The government also believes Johnson took the victim to a friend’s house in the trunk of a car. The victim had to spend 10 days in the hospital because of this ordeal.

The government charged Johnson with a hate crime under section 249 of title 18 of the United States Code. Under this charge, Johnson is facing up to ten years in prison. Johnson is also facing a fine of up to $250,000.00. However, the federal government could charge Johnson in a way where he would face a term of life imprisonment. Federal hate crimes carry further strict punishment when a kidnapping is involved. If the government believes that there is sufficient evidence of a kidnapping (i.e. putting the victim in the trunk of a car and taking him somewhere against his will), the charge could reflect this.

Most violent crimes involve a degree of hate. However, the crimes we call hate crimes carry a stiffer punishment because hatred is the primary reason for the offense. People do not commit hate crimes for money, but out of jealousy and prejudice. Mr. Johnson is innocent until proven guilty. Nonetheless, the victim endured serious injuries at someone’s hand. That person should be punished harshly.

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