LEWISTON, ME – Charles Allen Barnes, a 46-year-old resident of Lewiston, Maine, has entered a guilty plea to the charge of threatening communications in interstate commerce, following his transmission of racist death threats to a Black family living in his apartment complex.
In August 2022, Barnes utilized Facebook Messenger to convey a voice message filled with racial slurs and violent threats directed at his neighbor. The message ominously warned that he was prepared to kill the next person to exit the neighbor’s apartment, all while making repeated derogatory comments about the neighbor’s race. This recording was initially sent to an acquaintance of Barnes, who, in turn, forwarded it to the threatened neighbor to alert her of the potential danger.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division emphasized the unacceptability of racially motivated threats and violence in today’s society, assuring that the Justice Department is committed to prosecuting such acts of bias-motivated violence vigorously. U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee for the District of Maine reiterated the commitment to fighting racial harassment, threats, and violence, stressing that hate will not be tolerated in Maine.
Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Boston Division highlighted the seriousness with which the FBI views threats to life, clarifying that such actions are beyond the scope of protected speech.
Barnes now awaits a sentencing hearing, where he faces up to five years in prison. The forthcoming sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will take into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors. The judge will also consider whether Barnes intentionally targeted his victim based on race, which could result in a sentencing enhancement.