A coordinated hate crime hoax orchestrated just three weeks before Colorado Springs’ 2023 mayoral election has landed its mastermind in federal prison, exposing how political operatives weaponize fabricated racial incidents to manipulate voters and undermine democratic elections.
Story Snapshot
- Derrick Bernard sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for staging a cross burning and racial slur targeting Black mayoral candidate Yemi Mobolade
- The calculated hoax occurred precisely three weeks before the runoff election, with conspirators distributing false evidence to media outlets and blaming Mobolade’s opponent
- Self-described activists orchestrated the April 23, 2023 incident after Bernard texted “I got a plan” ten days earlier, revealing premeditated election interference
- Federal judge recognized the conspiracy “sought to disrupt and undermine our local democratic process,” establishing legal precedent against staged political incidents
Premeditated Conspiracy to Manipulate Voters
Derrick Bernard and co-conspirators Ashley Blackcloud and Deanna West executed a calculated plan to stage a racially charged hate crime targeting mayoral candidate Yemi Mobolade. On April 13, 2023, Bernard messaged Mobolade claiming he was “mobilizing my squad in defense. Black ops style big brother,” then immediately texted Blackcloud stating “I got a plan.” Ten days later, between 2:30 and 3:30 a.m., surveillance footage captured three individuals burning a cross and spray-painting racial slurs on a campaign sign supporting Mobolade, who was running to become Colorado Springs’ first Black mayor.
The perpetrators deliberately chose symbols with maximum psychological impact—cross burning historically associated with KKK terrorism and racial slurs designed to invoke fear and division. After staging the incident, Bernard and Blackcloud systematically distributed emails containing photographs and video to media outlets, local organizations, state groups, and national platforms. The conspirators falsely blamed Mobolade’s political opponent for the crime, attempting to portray the opponent as a racist while generating sympathy for Mobolade’s campaign. Federal prosecutors emphasized the coordinated nature of the operation, which involved pre-planning, execution, and deliberate distribution across multiple channels to maximize political impact.
Election Timing Raises Interference Questions
The staged hate crime occurred precisely three weeks before the mid-May 2023 mayoral runoff election, a timing that federal prosecutors characterized as deliberate electoral interference. Media outlets initially reported the incident before verification, amplifying the false narrative during the critical final weeks of the campaign. While Mobolade ultimately won the election and became Colorado Springs’ first Black mayor, the hoax’s potential influence on voter behavior remains a serious concern. The conspirators leveraged their status as self-declared activists and social media personalities to amplify false claims across multiple platforms, exploiting their public credibility to spread disinformation.
Judge Regina M. Rodriguez explicitly recognized during sentencing that the conspiracy “sought to disrupt and undermine our local democratic process,” establishing judicial acknowledgment that such hoaxes constitute threats to electoral integrity. Federal prosecutors noted the case exemplifies “the growing problem of disinformation and staged incidents being used to influence local elections.” The investigation required extensive coordination between Colorado Springs Police Department and FBI Denver Field Office, including detailed surveillance analysis that ultimately exposed the hoax. This resource-intensive investigation highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in detecting coordinated election interference schemes before they impact voting outcomes.
Justice System Holds Conspirators Accountable
On April 2, 2026, Judge Rodriguez sentenced Bernard to 46 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment. Bernard is already serving a life sentence for an unrelated murder conviction, meaning the 46-month sentence runs concurrently with his existing term. Co-conspirator Ashley Blackcloud received one year in prison, while Deanna West received three years probation after testifying against the others. The convictions establish legal consequences for staging incidents designed to influence elections, setting precedent for federal prosecution of similar disinformation campaigns.
Mayor Mobolade released a statement characterizing the hoax as “meant to intimidate, to divide, and to instill fear,” noting the incident caused deep pain for his family and community. The case exposes vulnerabilities in rapid-response journalism, as media outlets initially amplified the false narrative before verification occurred. This highlights the need for enhanced verification protocols during election periods when disinformation campaigns deliberately exploit tight news cycles. The conspiracy also demonstrates how political operatives falsely accuse opponents of racism to damage reputations and manipulate voter perceptions, undermining honest political discourse and eroding public trust in democratic processes.
Sources:
Colorado Springs Man Sentenced for Staging Hate Crime Hoax During Mayoral Campaign
Colorado Springs Man Accused of Hate Crime Hoax Sentenced
Man Gets 4 Years for Cross-Burning Political Hoax
