Indictment Unsealed Charging Two Oklahoma Men with Committing Hate Crimes

 

Indictment Unsealed Charging Two Oklahoma White Men with Committing Hate Crimes

By Edward Era Barbacena

Earlier today, a federal grand jury indictment was unsealed in the Western District of Oklahoma charging two men with two-counts of committing hate crimes, announced Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and United States Attorney Robert Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma.

The indictment alleges that on June 22, 2019, Brandon Killian and Devan Johnson, aiding and abetting each other, willfully caused bodily injury to two victims because of the perceived or actual race of one of the victims, who is a Black man.  The victims are identified in the indictment only as J.C. and M.W.  The assaults occurred in the parking lot of the Brickhouse Saloon, in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

If convicted, Killian and Johnson each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case is being investigated by the Oklahoma City FBI Field Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Barry of the Western District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorney Avner Shapiro of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.

The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  Reference is made to public records for more information.