Florida man charged with hate crimes by federal grand jury

U.S. Department of Justice. (U.S. Department of Justice)

FLORIDA – A federal grand jury in Tampa, Florida, returned an indictment charging a Florida man with committing hate crimes for a racially-motivated attack on a Black man driving along a public road in Seminole, Florida, the U.S. Department of Justice has announced.

The two-count of Jordan Patrick Leahy, 29, was announced Friday by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida.

The indictment alleges that on Aug. 8, 2021, Leahy willfully intimidated and interfered with J.T., and attempted to injure, intimidate, and interfere with J.T. through the use of a dangerous weapon (Leahy’s vehicle) because of J.T.’s race and color, and because J.T. was traveling on a public road in Seminole, Florida.

According to the indictment, J.T.’s girlfriend and daughter were also in the car with J.T. when Leahy allegedly committed the attack.

If convicted, Leahy faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlton Gammons for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorneys David Reese and Laura-Kate Bernstein of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.