WASHINGTON -- Two Tennessee men plead guilty today to conspiring to vandalize homes in the Spring Lake subdivision, admitting to spray painting a swastika and racial slurs on the driveway of an African family's resident, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Dakota James Calderhead, 20, and Kristian Chancellor Mathis, 19, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deprive a person of his civil rights, authorities stated.
Calderhead admitted that he fashioned a noose that Mathis hung from a tree outside the residence, federal officials stated. Calderhead also admitted to handing a second noose from the driver's side rear view mirror of the school bus located in front of another African American family's residence, officials stated.
"These innocent families were targeted and subjected to acts of harassment and intimidation for no other reason than their race," said David Rivera, acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. "Conduct which seeks to deprive any person of their civil rights will always receive the full attention of this office."
The defendants are each facing 10 years in prison, authorities stated.Te
