A Northridge man, Andre Morrow Lackner, 35, has been sentenced to over three and a half years in federal custody after pleading guilty to stalking charges. United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer decided the 43-month term after Lackner admitted to engaging in a campaign of threats directed at Jewish and Asian Americans.
The conviction comes in response to a series of hateful text messages sent by Lackner from June 2021 to October 2022. In these texts, Lackner managed to both target and scare his victims effectively with despicable antisemitic and racist remarks. One such message read, "Hitler was right about you people," while others contained threats of violence like, "I will make sure I kill a Jew before I leave this Earth," according to a statement released by the Justice Department.
During the sentencing, United States Attorney Martin Estrada remarked, "Hate and intolerance, including antisemitism, is both wrong and anti-American," adding that the case was a proactive step to remind that the country stands for inclusion. Besides Estragen's comments, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, Krysti Hawkins, mentioned, "Today's sentence is evidence that there is zero tolerance for criminal activity rooted in hatred, and of the FBI's commitment to holding accountable those who seek to threaten or harm innocent victims."
Lackner's messages did not only spread hate but also instilled a palpable fear in his targets. The victim was reasonably afraid for her life and that of her immediate family because of his texts. The FBI looked into the matter, leading to the eventual prosecution by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda B. Elbogen of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section. This case underscores the dark underbelly of intolerance that is yet to still lurk in American society, lurking in shadows cast by individuals like Lackner.
