18-year-old indicted for hate crime

An 18-year-old Colfax man accused of hanging nooses from the back of his truck and driving past Jena Six marchers in Alexandria in September has been indicted on a federal hate crime.

Jeremiah Munsen faces up to 11 years in prison and a fine of $350,000 if convicted on the hate crime and civil rights conspiracy violation, according to the United States Department of Justice.


“This indictment accuses the defendant of conduct that constitutes a federal civil rights conspiracy violation and a federal hate crime,” said United States Attorney Donald Washington on Thursday. “It is a violation of federal law to intimidate, oppress, injure or threaten people because of their race and because those people are exercising and enjoying rights guaranteed and protected by the laws and Constitution of the United States. Our civil rights laws protect the civil rights of all Americans, and they remind us that we are all members of one particular race -- the human race.”

On Sept. 20, thousands of people from across the country came to Alexandria and to Jena for a march in support of six high school students known as the Jena Six.

The six Jena High School students were arrested accused of attacking a fellow classmate, Justin Barker. The six arrested are black and Barker is white.

The arrest and case garnered nationwide attention after the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson made visits to Jena, claiming the treatment of the six teens was unfair.

One of the six has pleaded guilty in the attack. Others are awaiting trial.
Following the marches in Jena, many of the marchers came to Alexandria and gathered in downtown.

According to the indictment, Munsen and a 16-year-old boy, who has not been identified, conspired to threaten and intimidate the African Americans gathered in downtown Alexandria.

The indictment alleges the two fashioned nooses out of extension cords while talking about the Ku Klux Klan and the Jena Six rally then tied the nooses onto a truck.

They came to Alexandria where they allegedly drove slowly past a group of marchers waiting for buses to return to Tennessee, according to the Department of Justice.

Alexandria police arrested Munsen, who was driving, on charges of driving while intoxicated, inciting to riot and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, according to the police report.

The 16-year-old passenger was arrested on charges of underage drinking and probation violation, Alexandria Police Chief Daren Coutee said.

According to the police report, the 16-year-old told police he had a “KKK” tattoo on his chest and he had relatives who are members of the Klan.

According to Alexandria police, an unloaded gun was found in the vehicle and a set of brass knuckles.

The case is being prosecuted by the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney’s Office.