A California man who made violent anti-LGBTQ-related threats towards dictionary writer Merriam-Webster Inc. over its up to date gender definitions was sentenced Thursday to a yr in jail.
The sentence imposed on Jeremy Hanson, 35, by a federal court docket in Massachusetts additionally included 30 days of dwelling confinement, three years of probation and psychological well being remedy.
Hanson pleaded responsible final yr to interstate transmission of threatening communications in reference to threats made to the Springfield, Massachusetts-based dictionary writer and to the president of the University of North Texas.
In court docket paperwork, prosecutors mentioned the Rossmoor, California, man has a historical past of creating “threatening communications, nearly all of which were motivated by … biases based upon race, gender, gender identity, and/or sexual orientation.”
Those different communications have been directed on the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, Land O’ Lakes Inc., Hasbro, a nonbinary rabbi and others, prosecutors mentioned.
In a distant listening to Thursday, prosecutor Steven Breslow requested for an 18-month jail sentence, partly to function a deterrent to others at a time when violent rhetoric is turning into extra widespread.
Hanson’s protection legal professional, Marissa Elkins, requested that her shopper be sentenced to the time he has already served, citing his historical past of emotional and behavioral points, together with nervousness and obsessive-compulsive dysfunction.
More time behind bars may negatively have an effect on his psychological well being, she mentioned.
Judge Mark Mastroianni in U.S District Court in Springfield acknowledged Hanson’s medical historical past and mentioned he had no intent or capability to hold out his threats, however known as his actions “disturbing and terrifying.”
He famous that Merriam-Webster administration was “fearful that Hanson would come to their office and cause harm,” and mentioned inside firm communications referenced the 2015 assault on Charlie Hebdo workplaces in France, the place terrorists killed 12 individuals who labored for the satirical weekly newspaper.
Hanson despatched Merriam-Webster threatening messages and feedback between Oct. 2 and Oct. 8, 2021 utilizing the web site’s “contact us” operate, the place he commented on phrase entries reminiscent of “girl,” “woman,” and “female,” prosecutors mentioned.
“It is absolutely sickening that Merriam-Webster now tells blatant lies and promotes anti-science propaganda,” Hanson wrote, in keeping with prosecutors. “There is no such thing as ‘gender identity.’ The imbecile who wrote this entry should be hunted down and shot.”
Twice he threatened to shoot and bomb firm headquarters, prompting Merriam-Webster to shut workplaces in Springfield and New York City for a number of days, prosecutors mentioned.
Hanson additionally wrote an electronic mail to the president of the University of North Texas in 2022 that mentioned “You ought to be shot in the head and have your offices set on fire,” for supporting transgender college students, prosecutors mentioned.
Hanson, who appeared on the listening to remotely from a California jail, declined to deal with the court docket when given the chance.
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