DENVER — . Three people from Colorado Springs are facing federal charges after investigators say they staged a hate crime hoax leading up to the 2023 Mayoral runoff election.
The video, which was shared with local media outlets including News5, depicts a wooden cross being burned with a racial slur spray painted on a campaign sign for then-candidate Yemi Mobolade.
Derrick Bernard Jr., Ashley Blackcloud, and Deanna West are facing two charges each: Conspiracy to defraud the United States and for using fire to intimidate.
In the indictment, it says the trio was affiliated with a local non-profit called “Family Flavors the Slide WBN” which “marketed itself as a minority owned independent broadcasting and multi-media organization.”
Bernard is listed as the registered agent for the group, according to documents from the Colorado Secretary of State. Our news partners at The Gazette recently covered a trial involving Bernard where he faced charges that he ordered the murder of a local rapper. Bernard was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Gazette reports Bernard plans to appeal the conviction.
Mobolade is not named in the indictment, he is only referred to as “Candidate 1”, his opponent in the runoff, former city councilman Wayne Williams is referred to as “Candidate 2”
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CSPD investigating video showing vandalized campaign sign behind burning cross
The indictment says one of the suspects, Bernard, messaged Mobolade on social media, sent him text messages, and spoke to him on the phone for five minutes.
In the message sent to Mobolade on social media the indictment says he is “mobilizing his squadron”. The full text of what was sent in the message is below.
“I know it’s crunch time sir but look . . . I spoke with some of my friends in other places and theirs [sic] a plot amidst . . . I’m mobilizing my squadron in defense and for the final push. Black ops style big brother. The klan cannot be allowed to run this city again.”
The indictment does not say whether or not Mobolade responded to the message. City officials tell News5 the group was not affiliated with Mobolade's campaign.
News5 reached out to the Mayor's office for comment, they sent the following statement from the Mayor:
"That incident during my campaign led to a very traumatic time for my family, my campaign team, and our community. My knowledge and interaction with Bernard was as a local media personality, and I was not aware at the time that he was suspected of this crime. I appreciate local and federal law enforcement’s work in pursuing justice and sending a message that we will not tolerate such reprehensible behavior."
News5 also reached out to Wayne Williams, Mobolade's opponent in the mayor runoff election who sent the following statement:
"There were many false accusations made against me during my campaign for Colorado Springs mayor and this smear attempt was the most egregious. I applaud the efforts of the US Attorney’s Office to hold the alleged perpetrators of this dangerous false flag operation accountable. This event illustrates how far some will go to spread election disinformation. Too often, such actions are used as a pretext for violence. Hopefully, this indictment will deter others and help set us on a course toward returning to civil discourse."
Note: A previous version of this story reported the indictment was not clear on whether or not Mobolade's campaign was affiliated with the group. City officials responded to News5 to say the group was not affiliated with the Mayor.
WATCH: CSPD investigating video showing vandalized campaign sign behind burning cross
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