A Fort Lauderdale man has been sentenced to more than three years behind bars for attacking a Muslim postal worker, an incident state prosecutors have classified as a hate crime. Kenneth Pinkney, 47, was handed down a 37-month prison sentence followed by a period of supervised release lasting three years, after pleading guilty to the assault which occurred last October.
The details of Pinkney's vicious attack on the postal employee, a woman of the Muslim faith, have been laid bare in court records. He admitted to making threatening gestures towards her, using slurs, and attempting to forcibly remove her hijab—actions rooted in religiously motivated hatred. According to a statement obtained by The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, Pinkney's assault was a response to her visible wearing of a hijab while doing her job, only days after a political conflict overseas, hinting at an attempt to somehow punish her for global events far beyond her control.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Davis underscored the gravity of such incidents, asserting "Hate crimes represent vicious attacks on the very fabric of our diverse communities. No one should live in fear of being targeted because of their religious beliefs," The prosecution also emphasized the need for individuals to be able to safely carry out their duties without fear of being targeted over their religious beliefs.
The victim's ordeal has left a lasting impact on her well-being. She sustained physical injuries during the assault and, as reported by Local 10 News, continues to independently seek treatment from healthcare professionals to work through the trauma experienced. Critical pieces of the assault relayed by the victim include Pinkney's hate-filled diatribe where he shouted, "[Expletive] Islam!" and "You are a terrorist!".
Federal law enforcement including the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service collaborated to bring Pinkney to justice. Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri extolled the combined effort as proof of their unwavering resolve to protect individuals from hate-motivated crimes. Pinkney's sentencing represents a measure of justice for the victim and a statement to the community that such acts will meet the full force of the law.
