Two Florida men sentenced to prison for burning cross

A U.S. Department of Justice news release says 46-year-old Thomas Sigler (pictured) was sentenced Tuesday to two years and nine months

Two Florida men, aged 46 and 56, have been sentenced to federal prison for setting a wooden cross on fire in an interracial couple’s yard.

A U.S. Department of Justice news release says 46-year-old Thomas Sigler was sentenced Tuesday to two years and nine months.

56-year-old William Dennis received one year and nine months. 

They had both previously pleaded guilty to civil rights violations.

Officials say Sigler, Dennis and Pascual Pietri were living in a largely white community in Pasco County, near Tampa.

A white woman and a black man moved into the neighborhood, which is when the men decided to burn a cross in the couple’s yard Halloween 2012. 

Cross-burning has historically been used by hate groups to intimidate black people, and it is a practice widely associated with the Ku Klux Klan.

Pietri was sentenced to three years and one month behind bars on March 23, 2016 after pleading guilty.

There was a fourth man who was part of the hate crime but he has since died. 

‘Acts of intimidation and violence perpetrated against people because of their race, ethnicity, color or creed are reprehensible,’ Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen Muldrow said according to the Bradenton Herald. 

‘Individuals and families should have the right to live wherever they choose, without fear. Acts of hatred such as this simply cannot be tolerated and we will investigate and prosecute those who commit these crimes.’

Officials say Sigler, Dennis and Pascual Pietri were living in a largely white community in Pasco County, near Tampa when a white woman and a black man moved into the neighborhood. Cross-burning is a practice widely associated with the Ku Klux Klan

Officials say Sigler, Dennis and Pascual Pietri were living in a largely white community in Pasco County, near Tampa when a white woman and a black man moved into the neighborhood. Cross-burning is a practice widely associated with the Ku Klux Klan

Pascual Pietri was sentenced to three years and one month behind bars

Pascual Pietri was sentenced to three years and one month behind bars

In September 2012, just before the Halloween invasion, Sigler and Dennis began regularly harassing the interracial couple with racial slurs and derogatory statements.

Shortly after the Halloween incident in 2012, Sigler physically attacked the man.

‘The victims were attacked and threatened in their own neighborhood and home because of their race,’ said John M. Gore, Acting Assistant Attorney for Civil Rights. 

‘Such violence and intimidation has no place in our society, the Justice Department is committed to protecting the rights of all citizens, and will continue to vigorously prosecute individuals who commit such atrocious acts of hate.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk