Key facts
- Raymond Pumphrey, 47, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison.
- He pleaded guilty to making online threats and spreading hateful rhetoric.
- The threats were primarily directed at Black and Muslim communities.
- Pumphrey also threatened to kill politicians and their families.
A Maryland man, Raymond Pumphrey, 47, has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for making online threats, particularly targeting Black and Muslim communities, the U.S. Department of Justice announced. U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson handed down the sentence, which also includes three years of supervised release.
Pumphrey pleaded guilty to making a series of threatening posts on YouTube and other social media platforms with the intent to spread hateful rhetoric. According to the DOJ, he advocated for and threatened to participate in the killing of Black people in several large U.S. cities. He also threatened to kill multiple politicians and members of their families.
Rights advocates have previously raised concerns about online racism against Black Americans, citing factors such as white supremacy and inadequate content moderation. They have also noted a rise in Islamophobia, linking it to events like the September 11, 2001 attacks, anti-immigration policies, and the conflict in Gaza. Political experts have separately warned of increasing political violence due to heightened polarization in the United States.