Tuesday, December 5, 2023, Izaye Eubanks (22 years old), a man from Springfield (Ohio), was sentenced by the US District Court to 20 years in prison for committing repeated racist crimes targeting Haitian nationals residing in the region. He pleaded guilty in August 2023 and admitted to having committed hate crimes against at least 8 Haitian nationals.

Eubank's crimes against Haitians were motivated because of the victim's real or presumed nationality, according to court documents.

"This defendant is being held accountable for repeatedly assaulting and robbing members of the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio, because of their national origin," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division in a press release.

According to court documents, in January and February 2003, Eubanks committed several attacks, money and car thefts against Haitians because of their ethnic origin. Eubanks would roam Springfield looking for people he believed to be from Haiti, then violently attack them before stealing their money, cell phones, cars or other valuable personal property...

On January 29, Eubanks assaulted and robbed a victim while she was going to transfer $300 in cash to her mother in Haiti. Eubanks punched the victim then stole his money, cell phone and ATM cards. The same day, Eubanks assaulted a victim as she left a Haitian market and punched him in the face before stealing his vehicle. On February 1, Eubanks asked minors to help him carry out four attacks separate against five additional victims.

"Hate and discrimination have never had a place in our society. As today’s significant prison sentence shows, they have no place today,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio.

SL/ HaitiLibre