Glenn Eugene Halfin, 64, from Grapevine, Texas, appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey L. Cureton in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas and pleaded guilty to a federal charge of interfering with an African-American family’s housing rights, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.

According to court documents, Halfin threatened force, intimidated, and interfered with a family because of their race and occupancy of an apartment that was located directly above his own apartment.

According to documents filed in connection with the guilty plea, on Dec. 19, 2017, Halfin purchased a baby doll at a Wal-Mart in Grapevine, Texas. He took a rope, fashioned it into a noose, and hung the baby doll from the noose. Halfin then hung the rope noose and baby doll on the railing directly in front of the only staircase the family could use to access their apartment. Halfin did so, knowing that this display would be particularly intimidating for the family who had a young daughter. In addition, the defendant referenced in his factual basis repeated intimidation of and interference with the same African-American family on other occasions.

“The Justice Department will not tolerate acts of intimidation and fear, or illegal threats against any individual or family because of their race,” said Acting Assistant Attorney John Gore. “We will continue to prosecute hate crime offenders.”

“No one should be afraid to go home at night,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox. “Our community will not tolerate crimes of intimidation or bigotry, and my office will continue to prosecute all those who persecute others based on their race, color, ethnicity, or religious beliefs.”

Halfin faces a statutory maximum penalty of no more one year in federal prison and a $100,000 fine. His sentencing is scheduled for October 24.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Grapevine Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Rebekah Bailey of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Dana.