Washington State man pleads guilty to hate crime in connection with arson at Capitol Hill bar

Seattle – Kalvinn Garcia, 25, of Sedro Woolley, Washington, pleaded responsible immediately to at least one rely of committing a hate crime for the Feb. 24, 2020, arson at Queer/Bar, a nightclub and occasion house in Seattle, Washington. Assistant Legal professional Normal Kristen Clarke of the Justice Division’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Legal professional Nick Brown for the Western District of Washington and Particular Agent in Cost Donald M. Voiret for the FBI Seattle Subject Workplace made the announcement.

In line with paperwork filed in reference to the plea, Garcia set fireplace to the contents of a dumpster within the alley immediately behind Queer/Bar on February 24, 2020.  Garcia was arrested solely minutes after setting the hearth.  Garcia admitted to legislation enforcement that he set the hearth and that he focused Queer/Bar as a result of it angered him to see an indication that mentioned “queer.”  He additionally informed officers, “I believe it’s unsuitable that we have now a bunch of queers in our society.”  Just a few weeks after the incident, Garcia informed a stranger that his intent in setting the hearth was to entice and harm the folks inside.

“The defendant focused the patrons inside Queer/Bar, a identified protected house for the LGBTQI+ group,” mentioned Assistant Legal professional Normal Clarke. “Hate crimes haven’t any place in our society immediately and we stand prepared to make use of our federal civil rights legal guidelines to carry perpetrators accountable.  All folks should really feel protected and safe residing of their communities, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identification.”

“Mr. Garcia endangered numerous individuals who he didn’t know, and who had been merely making an attempt to stay their lives, solely due to his personal hatred,” mentioned U.S. Legal professional Brown.  “We should stand as much as this hate at each alternative, to display to our group that appearing on hate won’t be tolerated.”

“Mr. Garcia’s hateful act endangered and unfold worry within the LGBTQ+ group and brought about harm to this enterprise institution,” mentioned Particular Agent in Cost Voiret, of the FBI Seattle Subject Workplace. “Thankfully, our companions on the Seattle Police Division had been capable of reply rapidly to this arson. This case reveals our dedication to investigating civil rights violations with our companions.”

Garcia faces a most sentence of ten years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fantastic. Sentencing in entrance of U.S. District Choose John C. Coughenour is scheduled for September 20, 2022.

The case was investigated by FBI and the Seattle Police Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Legal professional Rebecca Cohen and Trial Legal professional Angie Cha of the Civil Rights Division.