A Bellevue man will spend 1 ½ years in prison after he was found guilty of shouting racial slurs and threatening to kill his Black neighbors during a troubling incident last summer.
Charles Gathard, 47, admitted to the hate crime charge in Peoria County Court on Tuesday. The judge acknowledged the 157 days he has already spent in the county jail, giving him credit for that time served.
The incident happened on the night of August 6, in Bellevue, Illinois. According to the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, Gathard not only shouted offensive slurs but also threw sticks at his neighbors’ home. He went further, threatening to burn down their house and telling them to “go back to your village.”
When investigators questioned him later, Gathard claimed he had been drinking heavily that night and couldn’t recall his actions.
This case has drawn attention due to its disturbing nature and the serious consequences of hate-driven behavior. It’s a reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for actions that harm and intimidate others in their community.
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