United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern
District of Wisconsin announced on January 17, 2020, that Yousef O. Barasneh
(age: 22) of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, was charged by criminal complaint with
conspiring to violate citizens’ rights to use property free from threats and
intimidation, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 241.
The complaint alleges that Barasneh is a member of “The
Base,” a neo-Nazi, racially motivated extremist group, and that between
September 15, 2019, and September 23, 2019, he conspired with other Base
members to vandalize minority-owned property, including property used by Jewish
citizens. As part of this conspiracy, Barasneh vandalized the Beth Israeli
Sinai Congregation in Racine, Wisconsin, by spray-painting swastikas, the
symbol for The Base, and anti-Semitic words on the exterior of the synagogue.
If convicted of the charge, Barasneh faces up to ten years in prison and up to
$250,000 in fines.
“The United States is committed to vigorous enforcement of
civil rights statutes against individuals motivated by extremist ideologies,”
stated United States Attorney Krueger.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Hughes stated: “This
demonstrates the FBI’s vigilance in investigating individuals who attempt to
dismiss and violate others’ Constitutional rights. Through the great
coordination and investigation of multiple national JTTFs, FBI Milwaukee was
able to participate and affect our portion of the investigation”
This case was investigated by the Milwaukee Federal Bureau
of Investigation and Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). The case is being
prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Proctor.
A criminal complaint is only a charging document and not
evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair
trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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