Prison sentence for Tampa man who threatened to burn down Muslim family's home

David H. Howard will go to prison for threatening a Muslim family.

THE ASGAR FAMILY was giving the house they planned to buy a final look when a man approached and began threatening them.

"This sale will not take place," he said, according to court documents. "I will break all of your f------ windows and I will burn your f------ house down."

The man turned out to live a couple houses from the Asgar family's intended home. David H. Howard, 59, of Tampa, Florida, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Mary S. Scriven to serve eight months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and required to pay the Asgar's $30,000 in restitution. 

Because of that verbal attack, Kaderbhai Ali Asgar, an Indian American, changed their mind  and cancelled the purchase of the home and lost their $30,000 down payment.

According to court documents, in the days that followed, Howard retold his version of the incident to neighbors, making insulting remarks about Muslims.

“This Justice Department will not stand by when individuals use violence and intimidation to deny fair housing rights,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore. “The Civil Rights Division will continue to prosecute crimes like this one that deprive families of a safe place to live.”

“Today’s sentence should send a clear message that we will vigorously uphold our nation’s civil rights laws,” said U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez. “Crimes perpetrated against people because of who they are or what they believe simply cannot be tolerated.”

A civil case that arose from the incident is still pending in Hillsborough Circuit Court.

Howard pleaded guilty last February. In his deposition for that case, Howard said that he lost a family member in 9/11 and "wasn’t crazy about Muslims."

In his plea to the judge, he said that he has AIDS and his medication may have affected his actions.

The judge asked that he be sent to a federal prison in Butner, N.C., that treats inmates with serious medical conditions.

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2 men targeting Philadelphia's Chinese Americans get severe sentences

Philadelphia's Chinatown

ASAM NEWS

TWO MEN have been sentenced in connection with a series of home invasion robberies in Philadelphia targeting Asian/American business owners.
 
Norman Bowen and Anthony Campbell of West Philadelphia were convicted in at least 6 of the 13 incidents which occurred between May and August of 2013.

Philly.com reports Bowen received a sentence of 35 to 70 years in state prison after his guilty plea to six home invasions and one attempted.

RELATED: Philly revives Commission on Asian American Affairs

Campbell pleaded guilty or no contest to seven home invasions and received a sentence of 30 to 60 years in prison.

The series of crimes struck terror in the community. Last year, 700 people rallied for better police protection. At least 100 Chinese American families and small businesses had been victims of armed robberies in 2016.

Even after two of the suspects were sentenced, many are still feeling the impact.

“The victims that were selected by these defendants were targeted for who they are. … These defendants targeted Chinese business owners,” Assistant District Attorney Jill Fertel told the judge prior to the sentencing which was attended by about 80 Chinese community members who demanded stiff sentences.
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35 arrests help slow attacks on Asian/Americans in Sacramento

Sacramento's Asian/American community had several meetings with police and deputies.

THE SACRAMENTO COUNTY Sheriff's Office's 15 arrests added to the 20 arrests by Sacramento police has helped stem the attacks on Asian/Americans living in south Sacramento say both of the law enforcement agencies.

The two law enforcement agencies, along with the cooperation of the Asian/American community has resulted in a 77 percent decrease in robberies since August reported the Sheriff's Office last Friday (Oct. 22). The attacks began about six months ago.

Asian/American leaders claim the numbers are inflated and instead credited the reduction in attacks to the armed civilian patrols the community had started in response to the string of brazen robberies. The residents can call for assistance through WeChat, that reportedly has over 1000 households signed up.

Officer Matthew McPhail, police spokesperson, said police are aware of multiple rap songs that advocate targeting Chinese or Asians, including a song by the rapper YG with the lyrics, “Find a Chinese neighborhood, ’cause they don’t believe in bank accounts.”

Asian/Americans have picketed YG's concerts protesting the lyrics they feel is encouraging the rash of attacks on Asians all over the country, from Sacramento to Philadelphia, which has experienced a similar rash of attacks Asians.According to police and witnesses, most of the crimes targeting Asians share similarities: The victims are robbed and attacked just as they exit their vehicle in a parking lot or at home, However, some of the attacks have included home invasions where the robbers kick through the front door.

The law agencies say the investigation is continuing therefore they could not release the names of the arrested suspects.

Targeting Asians has historical roots, said Gabriel Chin, a law professor from nearby University of California, Davis. He cited a California law from the 1800s that prevented Chinese from testifying against non-Chinese in a court of law. In essence, that meant “Chinese could be freely raped, robbed or murdered,” he said.

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