Justice Department: “A Lewiston, Maine, man was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for threatening a Black family who lived in his apartment complex. Charles Allen Barnes, 47, previously pleaded guilty to one count of threatening communications in interstate commerce. In connection with his plea, Barnes admitted to sending a Facebook voice message in which he stated that he was outside a neighbor’s residence and would kill anyone who emerged. In the message, Barnes repeatedly used racial slurs to refer to the victims. According to evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, Barnes harbored long-standing racist views, espoused white supremacist rhetoric online and had described himself to an acquaintance as a racist skinhead.”
“After hearing this and other evidence, the court enhanced the sentence based on its finding that Barnes intentionally selected his victims because of race. The court also heard that, several hours after Barnes sent the threatening message, police officers found him sitting outside of his apartment located in the same complex, armed with a large knife. Based on this evidence, the court imposed an additional sentencing enhancement. The FBI Boston Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Maine Attorney General’s Office and Lewiston Police Department.”