Macon Openshaw, 21, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the
District of Utah today to a federal civil rights crime relating to a
bias-motivated weapons discharge aimed at a local synagogue and to two
unlawful gun possession charges.
During the plea proceedings, Openshaw admitted that late at night on a
date in 2012, he fired three rounds from a Walther .22 caliber handgun
at the Congregation Kol Ami synagogue in Salt Lake City because of its
religious character, hitting the unoccupied structure’s second floor
window casing and the exterior wall of the synagogue. Openshaw also
admitted to possessing a handgun with a destroyed serial number, which
was the same handgun he used to shoot the synagogue. He also admitted
to possessing several firearms and ammunition while he was subject to a
protective order.
“Religiously-motivated violence tears at the fabric of our diverse
society,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the
Civil Rights Division. “Today, and in the future, the department
stands vigilant to confront and eradicate violence based on a person’s
religion, and we will continue to vigorously prosecute those who commit
crimes born of hate.”
“Every citizen living in Utah has a right to be free from intimidation
and threatening conduct,” said U.S. Attorney David B. Barlow. “The U.S.
Attorney’s Office in Utah has a strong history of prosecuting those who
violate the civil rights of others.”
Openshaw entered into a plea agreement whereby he would be sentenced to
60 months incarceration. As part of his plea agreement, Openshaw agreed
to pay restitution to the synagogue to repair the damage caused by his
actions.
Openshaw is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15, 2014, by U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell.
This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlos Esqueda of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for
the District of Utah and Trial Attorney Nicholas Durham of the Civil
Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
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