SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) — On Thursday, a Spotsylvania County resident was sentenced to life in prison for a heinous hate crime that took place in 2024. According to the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for Public Affairs, this individual, Douglas Wayne Cornett, pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to hate crimes, each involving an attempt to kill, as well as discharging a firearm during a violent federal crime.
The court documents reveal that on the night of February 28, 2024, Cornett tracked a Latino man driving a box truck to a Sheez gas station situated along I-95 in Spotsylvania County. There, he confronted both the driver and a male passenger, inquiring about their duration of stay in the country.
After the driver responded that they had been here for two years, Cornett flew into a rage, producing a handgun and firing six rounds. As a result of his actions, he struck the driver three times and the passenger once. He later admitted to authorities that his motive for the shooting was based on the national origin of the victims.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated, “No one in this country should be hunted down and shot at because of who they are or where they come from. This sentence reflects the Justice Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting communities from hate-fueled violence and holding accountable those who act on their prejudices.”
U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan for the Eastern District of Virginia emphasized that such acts of violence would not be tolerated. “As our nation recovers from recent political violence, today’s judgment serves as a powerful reminder that hate-driven terror will not be accepted. My office is committed to collaborating with law enforcement to effectively investigate and prosecute those who choose aggressive behaviors over reason and respect.”
The FBI’s Richmond Field Office led the investigation, with support from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.
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