Wichita man threatened Black kids with a gun outside store. He’s guilty of hate crimes
A 30-year-old Wichita man could face from five to seven years in prison after he pleaded guilty to hate crimes and making death threats toward Black children.
Austin Schoemann pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of interference with federally protected activities, two counts of interstate threats and one count of interference with housing, the United States Department of Justice. said in a news release.
He was charged with the hate crimes in May 2023.
During his plea hearing, Schoemann admitted to using a gun and racist language to threaten two black children entering a southeast Wichita QuikTrip on July 27, 2022.
Schoemann also used a gun to threaten a Black woman who tried to intervene, the release said.
“There is no place for race-based violence in the state of Kansas,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “Every individual is entitled to the fundamental right to live their lives without fear and intimidation based solely on their race.
In another instance, Schoemann threatened to “hurt or kill any Black people who visited” the home of a white Wellington woman, violating her federally protected housing rights. These acts occurred from January to August 2022.
“Schoemann further admitted that he sent videos and messages to the woman’s family members and others in which he repeatedly threatened to shoot and kill Black people,” according to the DOJ news release.
Schoemann faces from 63 to 84 months in prison and will be sentenced Oct. 16.
“Racially based violence and threats of violence should never be tolerated. This reprehensible behavior is illegal and subject to federal criminal prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas. “The Justice Department will defend civil rights and prosecute anyone who harasses and threatens people based on their race.”
The FBI and the Wichita Police Department investigated the case.