Wellington Man Sentenced to 80 Months in Prison for Hate Crimes
WICHITA — Austin Schoemann, a 31-year-old Wellington man, has been sentenced to 80 months in prison for a series of hate crimes targeting Black individuals. Schoemann threatened Black people with a gun, used racial slurs, made death threats, and violated the housing rights of a white woman by threatening her Black houseguests.
Court documents revealed that in July 2022, Schoemann, who is white, used racial slurs and brandished a gun at two Black minors at a Wichita gas station, while proclaiming “white power.” Schoemann also sent violent internet messages threatening to get rid of every Black person in town.
Following the end of a romantic relationship with a white woman in December 2021, Schoemann believed she was dating Black men and associating with Black people. He subsequently stalked and threatened any Black houseguests at the woman’s home, sending racially charged messages and vandalizing property.
Schoemann’s behavior culminated in a threatening message to the woman, leading her to obtain a restraining order against him. Schoemann was indicted and arrested in May 2023, with his Facebook banner still displaying a photo of the Confederate flag.
U.S. Attorney Kate Brubacher emphasized the importance of reporting hate crimes to law enforcement, stating that perpetrators like Schoemann aim to breed fear and divisiveness within communities. Schoemann faced 63 to 84 months in prison under the terms of his plea agreement, highlighting the severity of his actions and the consequences of hate crimes.
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