Name: Lawrence man charged with federal hate crime against neighbor, accused of burning cross
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Lawrence man charged with federal hate crime against neighbor, accused of burning cross

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Indianapolis StarView CommentsA Lawrence&nbsp;man is facing a federal hate crime charge for allegedly using racial intimidation against a neighbor, who is Black.&nbsp;According to a news release from the Department of Justice, 50-year-old&nbsp;Shephard Hoehn became angry when a construction crew started removing a tree from the neighbor's property on June 18.&nbsp;Hoehn, who is white,&nbsp;is accused of doing the following in an effort to intimidate the neighbor: placing a burning cross above the fence line and facing the neighbor's property, displaying a swastika on the fence, displaying a machete next to the swastika, displaying a sign with a "variety of anti-Black racial slurs," and loudly playing the song "Dixie" on repeat, according to the news release.FBI agents searched Hoehn's home in July and said they found firearms and drug paraphernalia. They also learned he is a fugitive&nbsp;from a case in Missouri and not allowed to possess firearms, according to the release.The Lawrence Police Department assisted in the investigation.In addition to being charged with a hate crime, Hoehn is charged with two counts&nbsp;for unlawful possession of firearms.&nbsp;&nbsp;If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each offense.&nbsp;During interviews with investigators, Hoehn admitted to the accusations but repeatedly said&nbsp;he is not racist, according to charging documents.&nbsp;In multiple interviews, he said he was aware of the racial connotations associated with his actions, that he knew his actions would disturb his neighbor and that he hoped to evoke an emotional response.&nbsp;Asked why he played the song "Dixie," Hoehn told police: "Because he's a black man. And I wanted them to be pissed off because they think I'm a racist, and I'm doing something stupid and ignorant.""Dixie" is sometimes known as the Confederate anthem, .&nbsp;He later said he wanted to make his neighbor "miserable." Investigators say he&nbsp;also acknowledged that his actions would make his neighbor afraid. He admitted that the machete was a "subtle threat." But at other times, Hoehn said he didn't want his actions to be threatening or frightening.&nbsp;Along with being angry about his neighbor's removal of the tree, Hoehn said he wanted to express opposition to Black Lives Matter protests and efforts to remove monuments, according to court records.&nbsp;Charging documents also show seven firearms were found in Hoehn's home. Four of them were loaded.&nbsp;Due to a probation violation in a case out of Missouri, Hoehn was not legally allowed to possess firearms.&nbsp;Contact IndyStar reporter Elizabeth DePompei at 317-444-6196 or . Follow her on Twitter: .View Comments

Indianapolis StarView CommentsA Lawrence&nbsp;man is facing a federal hate crime charge for allegedly using racial intimidation against a neighbor, who is Black.&nbsp;According to a news release from the Department of Justice, 50-year-old&nbsp;Shephard Hoehn became angry when a construction crew started removing a tree from the neighbor's property on June 18.&nbsp;Hoehn, who is white,&nbsp;is accused of doing the following in an effort to intimidate the neighbor: placing a burning cross above the fence line and facing the neighbor's property, displaying a swastika on the fence, displaying a...

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Lawrence man charged with federal hate crime against neighbor, accused of burning cross

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