A 27-year-old Jacksonville man admitted to pulling out his shotgun on two Black women at two different incidents last year because of their race.
He now faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a massive fine pending a judge’s sentencing.
Florida native Frederick Eugene Pierallini III pleaded guilty to two federal hate crimes on Thursday, July 6, according to a Justice Department press release.
He stated in his plea agreement he used force or a threat of force as he “willfully intimidated the victims and interfered with their enjoyment of federally protected activities because of their race and color.”
For each charge, Pierallini faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of mandatory supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000.
One of his victims was working at her job at the Daily’s Place convenience store on Saturday, Sept. 10. The other incident happened on Monday, Sept. 12, as the second victim was sitting in her walker on the public sidewalk near 1571 University Boulevard West.
“The defendant, in this case, committed a vile assault on two women with a dangerous weapon because of their race. These actions were repugnant and endangered the women’s and the public’s safety,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida.
