Hate Crimes

On December 13^th, 2007 St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern requested the Sheriff’s Department investigate a possible hate crime in the 2200 block of Deer Springs Trail in unincorporated Shiloh. Chairman Kern received a flyer which was left on the front lawn (near a mailbox) of a residence. Chairman Kern received the information from a local Pastor. The flyer is called “The Klansmen’s Voice.” The inside depicts KKK members with burning crosses and articles about “Proud to be White” and “Racist Klansmen? Or Racist America.” The flyer does not mention any local connections.

The United States Postal Service Inspectors Office was initially contacted but the incident does not fall under their jurisdiction since the flyer was not left in the mail box. The Sheriff’s Department has also enlisted the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Civil Crimes Section. Several residents in Shiloh also received the flyers in their yard. The Sheriff’s Department has been in communication with the Shiloh Police.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Department have knocked on doors in the neighborhood to determine if anyone has information related to the flyers. Investigators also checked local convenience stores for anything suspicious.

Sgt. Dan Stockett, the Department’s Investigative Sergeant, is heading up the investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to contact him at 618-277-3505 x5734.

On December 13^th, 2007 St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern requested the Sheriff’s Department investigate a possible hate crime in the 2200 block of Deer Springs Trail in unincorporated Shiloh. Chairman Kern received a flyer which was left on the front lawn (near a mailbox) of a residence. Chairman Kern received the information from a local Pastor. The flyer is called “The Klansmen’s Voice.” The inside depicts KKK members with burning crosses and articles about “Proud to be White” and “Racist Klansmen? Or Racist America.” The flyer does not mention any local connections.

The United States Postal Service Inspectors Office was initially contacted but the incident does not fall under their jurisdiction since the flyer was not left in the mail box. The Sheriff’s Department has also enlisted the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Civil Crimes Section. Several residents in Shiloh also received the flyers in their yard. The Sheriff’s Department has been in communication with the Shiloh Police.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Department have knocked on doors in the neighborhood to determine if anyone has information related to the flyers. Investigators also checked local convenience stores for anything suspicious.

Sgt. Dan Stockett, the Department’s Investigative Sergeant, is heading up the investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to contact him at 618-277-3505 x5734.