The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado has indicted three individuals for allegedly staging a hate crime hoax intended to influence the outcome of the 2023 Colorado Springs mayoral election.
Derrick Bernard Jr., 35, Ashely Blackcloud, 40, and Deanna West, 38, attempted to create a racially charged incident involving a burning cross and a campaign sign defaced with a racial slur, according to a press release from the attorney’s office.
The incident occurred on April 23, 2023, when a wooden cross was set on fire in front of a defaced campaign sign for Yemi Mobolade, a Black mayoral candidate who was running against Wayne Williams, a White man.
The press release outlines how Bernard allegedly coordinated the incident with Blackcloud and West, issuing instructions through messages.
According to the indictment, the three defendants…
