A man from Massachusetts has been given an 18-month prison sentence for making threats to kill a group of Asian Americans and intentionally hitting one of them with his vehicle. John Sullivan, aged in his late 70s, was sentenced on Wednesday following his guilty plea in April to a federal hate crime. The charges stemmed from causing bodily harm to a victim using a dangerous weapon due to the victim’s race and national origin.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized that racially motivated attacks are unacceptable in society, particularly highlighting that the victim in this case was targeted because he was Asian American. The Justice Department remains committed to prosecuting acts of hate.
The incident occurred in December 2022 outside a post office in Quincy where Sullivan encountered a group of Asian Americans, including children. He verbally abused them, threatening them and targeting them with racial slurs before striking a Vietnamese man with his car. The victim was injured during the incident.
Following the surge in attacks against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during the pandemic, the FBI reported an increase in overall hate crimes. Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen stated that all communities in Massachusetts deserve to live free from fear and discrimination.
Sullivan’s defense argued that this single act should not define his character and requested a lesser sentence. They suggested six months of home confinement and three years of supervised release. Despite this, the court sentenced him to 18 months in prison for his actions.
