Grapevine, Texas, Man Sentenced for Hate Crime

A 64-year-old Grapevine, Texas, man was sentenced today to 12 months in federal prison for a hate crime, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore for the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.

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.

In court documents, Mr. 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. 

“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.” 

The FBI and the Grapevine Police Department, in conjunction with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, conducted the investigation. Trial Attorney Rebekah Bailey of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Dana prosecuted the case.