A 22-year-old Ohio man, Izaye Eubanks, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for committing federal hate crimes targeting and attacking Haitian nationals in the Springfield area. Eubanks pleaded guilty to multiple charges in August, admitting to assaulting and robbing at least eight Haitian individuals based on their national origin.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division emphasized, “Attacks like these, where a group of individuals is targeted for violent abuse and robbery because of who they are, will not be tolerated.” The sentencing reflects a commitment to enforcing federal criminal civil rights laws to protect individuals from violent, bias-motivated crimes.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio stated, “Hate and discrimination have never had a place in our society. As today’s significant prison sentence shows, they have no place today. We will continue to prosecute hate crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”

The FBI Cincinnati Field Office, which investigated the case, highlighted the wide-ranging impact of hate crimes, emphasizing its commitment to prioritizing such investigations. Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers stated, “Because hate crimes have such a wide-ranging impact, investigating these crimes is a top priority for the FBI.”

Court documents revealed that between January and February, Eubanks committed various assaults, robberies, and a carjacking targeting Haitian individuals based on their actual or perceived national origin. Eubanks would seek out individuals he believed were from Haiti, attacking and robbing them, often resorting to physical violence.

One incident involved Eubanks assaulting and robbing a victim who was on his way to wire money to his mother in Haiti. Eubanks also targeted victims leaving a Haitian market, assaulting and robbing them, and even directed juveniles to assist him in multiple attacks on five additional victims.

The case serves as a stern reminder of the Justice Department’s commitment to prosecuting hate crimes and ensuring the safety and protection of individuals from violent and biased attacks.