Today, a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City, Utah, returned a three count indictment charging Alan D. Covington with violating 18 U.S.C. § 249 for attacking three men with a metal pole because he believed the men were Mexican, announced Eric Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division; John W. Huber, United States Attorney for the District of  Utah; and Paul Haertel, Special Agent in Charge for the Salt Lake City Field Office of the FBI. 

Read full DOJ statement: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/utah-man-charged-hate-crimes-attacking-three-men-metal-pole

The Salt Lake City Police Department forwarded the case to the FBI following an investigation of the attack which took place on November 27, 2018. The Salt Lake County District Attorney indicated he was unable to pursue hate crimes charges in the case based on current state law.

“This attack sowed fear into our community and was met with a swift and thorough investigation by the Salt Lake City Police Department who rightfully reached out to the FBI for assistance,” said Mayor Jackie Biskupski. “It is time Utah adopt comprehensive hate crime legislation to give law enforcement and investigators the tools they need to prosecute these types of crime.” 

“I’m incredibly proud of our detectives whose work in conjunction with the FBI brought this indictment to fruition,” said Chief Mike Brown. “The Salt Lake City Police Department will continue to work with any willing partner to ensure justice is available to everyone in the Capital City,” 

Contact: Matthew Rojas

385-228-2365 –  matthew.rojas@slcgov.com