Obstruction of Justice Guilty Plea: Man Admits to Threatening Witnesses in Hate Crimes Trial

Guilty Plea in Tree of Life Synagogue Mass Shooter Trial Witness Threats Case

Hardy Carroll Lloyd, a 45-year-old resident of Follansbee, West Virginia, has pleaded guilty to obstruction of the due administration of justice.

The guilty plea comes in connection with his attempts to obstruct the federal hate crimes trial related to the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history.

Obstruction of Justice and Threats

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, “Hardy Lloyd attempted to obstruct the federal hate crimes trial of the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history.”

He emphasized that Lloyd’s guilty plea serves as a clear message that anyone attempting to obstruct a federal trial by threatening or intimidating jurors or witnesses will face the full force of the Justice Department.

FBI’s Stance on Intimidation

FBI Director Christopher Wray condemned the defendant’s actions, describing them as “absolutely reprehensible.”

Lloyd was found to have threatened witnesses and jurors involved in the Tree of Life Synagogue mass shooter trial in Pittsburgh, where Robert Bowers was facing hate crimes charges.

Wray emphasized that the FBI will not tolerate the intimidation of citizens participating in the criminal justice system and will collaborate with partners to legally hold accountable those who threaten or commit acts of violence against them.

Lloyd’s Admission

According to court documents and statements made in court, Lloyd admitted to making online threats to jurors and witnesses in the aforementioned federal hate crimes trial.

As a self-proclaimed “reverend” of a white supremacy movement, he distributed threatening content on social media, website comments, and emails during the trial.

It was stipulated in his plea agreement that he specifically targeted the jury and government witnesses involved in the Bowers trial due to their actual or perceived Jewish religion.

Expected Sentence

Pending court acceptance of the plea agreement, Lloyd is expected to receive a 78-month prison sentence, which falls at the high end of the sentencing range calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

FBI’s Investigation

The FBI is actively investigating the case to ensure justice is served.

Prosecution Team

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph Bernard and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas, representing the Northern District of West Virginia, are handling the prosecution of this case.

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