Chicago Woman Sentenced to Prison for Hate Crime Attack on Venezuelan Migrant Neighbors
A 70-year-old Chicago woman, Ana M. Hernandez, has been sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison for a hate crime conviction. Hernandez pleaded guilty to unlawfully interfering with housing rights after firebombing the wooden porch of her Venezuelan migrant neighbors in an attempt to scare them out of the country.
The incident took place on March 16, 2024, in the 3400 block of West Armitage Avenue. Surveillance footage captured Hernandez lighting a Molotov cocktail and throwing it onto her neighbors’ wooden porch. Fortunately, no one was injured in the attack.
Following the firebombing, Hernandez left a threatening note on the landlord’s vehicle, expressing derogatory sentiments towards the victims and urging them to leave the neighborhood. This act of aggression was part of a pattern of hostility exhibited by Hernandez towards the Venezuelan migrants living next door.
Court documents revealed that Hernandez had made derogatory remarks to the tenants in the past, called the police multiple times to complain about noise, and even warned the landlord about potential arson attacks on the building. The victims also experienced vandalism, including slashed tires on their vehicle.
After installing security cameras, the victims were able to capture Hernandez throwing the Molotov cocktail on their porch. Subsequently, they reported the incident to the authorities, leading to Hernandez’s arrest in April 2024.
During the investigation, Hernandez admitted to the attack but claimed she did not intend to harm anyone. She confessed that her goal was to intimidate her neighbors into leaving the residence.
Despite Hernandez’s plea for leniency, U.S. District Judge Lindsay C. Jenkins sentenced her to nearly three years in prison, emphasizing the severity of the hate crime committed against the Venezuelan migrants.
As the case comes to a close, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of tolerance and respect towards individuals of diverse backgrounds, highlighting the consequences of hatred and discrimination in our communities.
