Jilted Pinoy Turns To ‘Hate’ Mailing

June 8, 2008  --  Got something to say?
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CLEVELAND, Ohio - A Filipino American has pleaded guilty here to federal charges for writing hate letters targeting blacks or mixed-race people, including Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

David Tuason, 46, pleaded guilty to six counts of mailing threatening communications and two counts of threatening interstate communications. He faces up to five years in prison for each count and an additional five years for having threatened a federal judge. His sentencing is set for July.

Assistant US Attorney Dean Valore estimated that Tuason sent more than 200 hateful letters or e-mails, many to black or mixed-race men seen with white women. Tuason told US District Judge Donald Nugent that he sent threat letters to Thomas and Jeter, among others, but did not cite the reason for his actions.

But the FBI said Tuason was apparently motivated by the fact that a white girlfriend had left him for a black man. He admitted his motive when he was captured two months ago, said Frank Figliuzzi, the head of the FBI in Cleveland.
“One of the first phrases out of his mouth was, ‘You wouldn’t understand ’til it happened to you,’ and when they inquired what that meant, he said, ‘My girlfriend left me for a black man,’” Figliuzzi said.

The FBI was surprised that a jilted man was behind the hundreds of letters that went to, among others, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

FBI agents arrested Tuason on March 14 after tracking e-mails sent from a public library. The agency’s behavioral experts had developed several theories about the letter writer, but a jilted lover wasn’t in the mix, Figliuzzi said.

“It’s a lesson in considering the obvious,” he said. “You can overcomplicate profiles and assessments and when you arrest the guy, he says, ‘My girlfriend left me for a black man.’”

In many cases, he posed as an angry white woman threatening violent acts. According to his plea, Tuason also sent threatening communications to high school, college and professional athletes, coaches, celebrities, musicians, news anchors, hospitals, police departments and lawyers.

FBI agents arrested Tuason on March 14 after tracking e-mails sent from a public library. The Justice Department agreed not to bring any additional criminal charges against Tuason based on evidence known when the agreement was reached May 8 or to pursue criminal charges against his parents.

Tuason’s parents attended the hearing but declined to comment afterward.


Posted by News Team | Filed Under Articles/Stories 

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