On May 28, 2015, Vallum decided to kill Williamson after learning that a friend had discovered Williamson was transgender. Vallum knew at the time that Williamson, who identified and presented as female, was transgender.ĭuring his romantic relationship with Williamson, Vallum kept the sexual nature of the relationship, as well as Williamson’s transgender status, secret from his family, friends and other members of the Latin Kings.Īround August or September 2014, Vallum terminated his romantic and sexual relationship with Williamson and had no contact with her until May 2015. In the late spring or early summer of 2014, Vallum, a member of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Almighty Latin Kings and Queens Nation, began a consensual sexual relationship with Williamson. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to vigorously investigate hate crimes and bring those to justice who violate the civil rights of our citizens.”Īccording to admissions made as part of his guilty plea: “This guilty plea will go towards demonstrating hate crime will not be tolerated in the United States. “Hate crime has no place in our society, especially by those targeting victims solely for their sexual orientation or identity,” said Special Agent in Charge Freeze. I commend our law enforcement partners, including the FBI, George County Sheriff’s Office and Office of the District Attorney for the 19 th Judicial District, who worked tirelessly in this case to ensure that justice was done.” Attorney’s Office is committed to continuing its work, in conjunction with the DOJ Civil Rights Division, to ensure that the federal laws prohibiting violations of civil rights will be aggressively prosecuted in the Southern District of Mississippi. “This type of attack threatens the harmony of our diverse community and undermines America’s principle of equality under the law. “The defendant committed a horrific and reprehensible act of violence against the victim because of her gender identity,” said U.S. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute hate crimes, which not only target individuals for harm, but also deny entire communities the promises of true freedom and equal protection.” But this guilty plea sends an unequivocal message that violence based on one’s gender identity violates America’s defining values of inclusivity and dignity. “No conviction, even such a historic one, can relieve the grief and anguish facing this victim’s family. “Congress passed the Shepard-Byrd Act to protect our most vulnerable communities, including the transgender community, from harm,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Gupta. By holding accountable the perpetrator of this heinous deed, we reinforce our commitment to ensuring justice for all Americans.” While Mississippi convicted the defendant on murder charges, we believe in the fundamental value of identifying and prosecuting these bias-fueled incidents for what they are: acts of hate. “Today’s landmark guilty plea reaffirms that basic principle, and it signals the Justice Department’s determination to combat hate crimes based on gender identity.
“Our nation’s hate crime statutes advance one of our fundamental beliefs: that no one should have to live in fear because of who they are,” said Attorney General Lynch.
Davis of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze of the FBI’s Jackson Division. Lynch Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division U.S. The plea was announced by Attorney General Loretta E. Vallum was charged with violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Williamson was 17 years old and resided in Alabama at the time of her death. Joshua Brandon Vallum, 29, of Lucedale, Mississippi, pleaded guilty today to a federal hate crime for assaulting and murdering Mercedes Williamson because she was a transgender woman. Hate Crimes Prevention Act Where Victim was Targeted Because of Gender Identity First Case Prosecuted under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr.
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