Minnesota Man Charged with Hate Crime for Assault Against Black Man

MINNEAPOLIS - A Minnesota man was indicted today and charged with federal hate crime offenses for assaulting a Black man outside of a bar, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to the indictment that was unsealed this afternoon, on or about February 3, 2024, Justin Anthony Kudla, 35, used force or the threat of force to injure, intimidate, and interfere with the victim - a Black man identified in the indictment as Victim 1 - because of Victim 1's race, color, religion and/or national origin, and because Victim 1 was enjoying the goods, services, and accommodations of a local bar. The indictment also charges Kudla with willfully causing bodily injury to Victim 1 because of Victim 1's actual and perceived race.

The indictment charges Kudla with one count of interference with federally protected activities and one count of hate crime. He made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court today before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster. If convicted of the hate crime offenses, Kudla faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each offense and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Minneapolis Field Office, with assistance from the Belle Plaine Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Gilead for the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorneys Katherine G. DeVar and Briana M. Clark of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.