(TV News Story that aired July 12, 2018)
A 64-year-old Grapevine, Texas, man was sentenced Wednesday to 12 months in federal prison for a hate crime, according to authorities.
In July, Glenn Eugene Halfin pleaded guilty to interfering with housing rights after he repeatedly threatened and intimidated an African American family living in the apartment above his own because of their race, according to officials.
Halfin is a former firefighter and arson investigator.
In court documents, Halfin admits that in December 2017, he purchased a baby doll at Walmart, fashioned a rope into a noose, and slipped the noose around the baby doll’s neck. He then hung the noose from the railing directly in front of the staircase the victims used to access their apartment.
The defendant “recognized that this display would be particularly intimidating for the African-American victims who had a young daughter,” documents say.
Halfin threw eggs and dog feces on his car and when Petty tried to file a police report, he was told little could be done because of the lack of proof. Then, Petty placed a camera outside the door to his apartment, which captured Halfin hang the noose, reported The Root.
“The Justice Department will not tolerate unlawful acts of racial intimidation,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore. “We will continue to prosecute hate crime offenders like Halfin to ensure that all families can feel safe in their own homes, regardless of their race, religion, or national origin.”
“No family should be afraid for children in their own home,” said U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox. “The Northern District of Texas will not tolerate crimes born of bigotry. Prosecuting those that persecute others based on race is a priority for my office.”