The Justice Department says two Colombian men are pleading guilty in connection with “racially motivated” armed robberies.

On October 24, 2024By Yukito

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Tuesday evening that two Columbia men have pleaded guilty in connection with a series of armed robberies that targeted Latinos.

Charles Clippard, 27, and Michael Knox, 29, pleaded guilty to three hate crime charges, one car theft charge, one conspiracy charge and two firearms charges.

The Justice Department said the pair robbed several people at gunpoint between January and February 2021 and noted that their victims were identified as Mexican/Hispanic.

According to the Department of Justice, on January 22, 2021, the two followed people home from a grocery store and restaurant, where they stole cash and cellphones at gunpoint.

According to officials, on January 30, 2021, Clippard and Knox committed two separate armed robberies of two different Latino men whom they had followed home from gas stations.

“Defendants targeted Latino victims for brutal acts of robbery based on their race, national origin and perceived vulnerability,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Clippard and Knox face a minimum of 14 years in prison for each firearms offense, up to 10 years in prison for each hate crime and up to 15 years for each of the car theft charges. The Justice Department said it would also have to pay restitution to all victims.

“Clippard and Knox outrageously sought to exploit and intimidate their victims based on their Hispanic ethnicity,” said Special Agent in Charge Steve Jensen of the FBI’s Columbia Field Office. “Their brutal attacks have instilled fear among victims and innocent working people in the Latino community.”

“We will not tolerate bias crimes in South Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Adair Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “The Department of Justice will continue to be steadfast in protecting and enforcing the civil rights of all South Carolinians.”

Gabriel Brunson, 21, and Sierra Fletcher, 34, also pleaded guilty to hate crimes, conspiracy and firearms offenses in connection with the robberies, according to the Department of Justice.

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