Following a four-day trial, a federal jury has convicted John Russell Howald, a 46-year-old man from Basin, Montana, of hate and firearms crimes. Howald was found guilty of firing an AK-style assault rifle at the home of a woman who identified as a lesbian and was present at the time of the incident. The charges against Howald included hate crime acts and the discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
The trial, which began on February 14, concluded with the jury delivering a verdict that held Howald accountable for his actions. The prosecution presented evidence and arguments establishing that the attack was motivated by hate, targeting the victim based on her sexual orientation.
Acts of hate and violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic are serious offenses that undermine the principles of equality and respect. The jury’s verdict in this case reflects a commitment to justice and sends a strong message that such acts will not be tolerated.
As the legal process moves forward, Howald will face appropriate sentencing for his crimes. This conviction serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights and safety of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“This defendant is being held accountable for attempting to violently eliminate the entire LGBTQ community in a small Montana town,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This hate crime and violent campaign targeting the LGBTQ community is a reminder of the epidemic of hate violence targeting people based on their sexual orientation. All people have the right to feel safe in their homes and communities, regardless of who they love. The Civil Rights Division will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to safeguard the civil rights of LGBTQ people affected by hate violence, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure justice for victims of bias-motivated crimes.”
“The victim in this case was targeted by the defendant for no other reason than her sexual orientation when he fired bullets at her home while she was inside of it. There will be zero tolerance by our office in prosecuting those who commit hate crimes against our fellow Montanans, as no one should have to live in fear of potentially deadly violence simply because of whom they love,” said U.S. Attorney Jess Laslovich for the District of Montana. “I am pleased the jury agreed with us and I sincerely thank Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut and Trial Attorney Eric N. Peffley, Criminal Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, along with the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Jefferson County’s Sheriff’s Office for investigating and prosecuting this case.”
“Hate crimes are especially devastating because a vicious act against one person is an attack on an entire community,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. “I want to reassure Montana citizens the FBI is committed to defending and protecting the rights of all persons and encourage the public to report hate crimes to the FBI and local law enforcement.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, it was revealed that on March 22, 2020, John Russell Howald embarked on a self-proclaimed mission to target and eliminate the lesbian and gay community in Basin, Montana. Armed with multiple firearms, Howald specifically targeted the residence of a woman known to identify as a lesbian. He approached her home on foot and discharged an AK-style assault rifle, with several rounds penetrating her property, yard, and porch. Although the victim was home at the time, she fortunately escaped physical harm.
After the initial attack, Howald proceeded down the street towards other houses occupied by individuals who were openly gay or lesbian. As churchgoers were leaving a service, they encountered Howald, recognized him, and approached him. During their interaction, the individuals heard Howald express his mission to kill lesbian and gay people in the town, witnessed his possession of weapons, and attempted to reason with him. Unbeknownst to Howald, one of the individuals, a pastor, had left a recording device on that captured approximately 10 minutes of their conversation. The recording captured Howald’s disturbing statements, including his expressed desire to have killed a lesbian and his intention to eliminate lesbians and queer individuals in Basin. Additionally, the recording captured Howald firing several more rounds during the encounter.
The evidence presented during the trial painted a chilling picture of Howald’s targeted hate-fueled actions and his explicit intentions to harm and eradicate members of the lesbian and gay community in Basin. The recordings, along with other testimonies and evidence, helped solidify the charges brought against Howald and ultimately led to his conviction on hate and firearms crimes.
These alarming events underscore the importance of combating hate crimes and protecting the rights and safety of all individuals, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The legal system’s response to this case sends a strong message that acts of violence and hatred motivated by prejudice will be met with consequences.
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