The so-called Bergholz Clan — not an official name, but rather a reference to the group’s location in Bergholz, Ohio — is an Amish sect led by Samuel Mullet.
Mullet and several of his followers face federal hate crime charges in relation to a number beard-cutting attacks Mullet is said to have arranged against other Amish.
Judges says Samuel Mullet had prior knowledge of the attacks and that he defended the assaults in media interviews.
They also said Mullet exerts such complete control over his community that members have refused to talk to the FBI until he gives permission.
The leader of an Amish splinter sect accused of cutting the beards of religious enemies has received more than $2 million for oil rights to his 800-acre farm, yet continues to be represented by a taxpayer-financed public defender, according to a new court filing.
Prosecutors also that Samuel Mullet remain in jail pending his trial, citing fears that he and his followers might retreat to his farm and forcibly resist surrendering.
Amish sect leader Sam Mullet, locked up for five months on federal hate crimes charges, keeps trying to get out of jail and made another attempt this week with a new argument.
The judge has twice ruled that Mr. Mullet will remain behind bars until he goes on trial, siding with the Justice Department that he is a danger to society.
Lawyers for the group claim the government’s case should be dismissed because they say the 2009 Hate Crimes Prevention Act should not apply to a dispute within a religion.
Justice Department lawyers answer the defendants “were properly indicted under the act” and that the law “represents a proper exercise of Congressional authority to enact legislation” to prosecute crimes motivated by bias.
U.S. Federal prosecutors on Wednesday charged an additional four women with being involved in beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio, and added new allegations that suspects tried to hide or destroy evidence including a bag of hair from the victims.
The new allegations bring to 16 the number of people charged in the attacks on other Amish last year.
All 12 members of a break-away Amish clan charged with hate crimes in beard-cutting attacks on mainstream Amish in Ohio will close ranks and challenge the constitutionality of the federal hate crimes law, a member of the defense team said Monday.
Former members accuse clan leader Samuel Mullet of cult-like behavior.
Lawyers for Amish sect leader Sam Mullet, who is accused of instigating beard- and hair cutting attacks against mainstream Amish men and women, have challenged the constitutionality of the Federal government’s hate-crimes prosecution of Mr. Mullet and 11 of his followers.
They have asked a judge to throw out the case because they say Congress exceeded its authority in passing the Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009.
The Justice Department has asked a federal appellate court to keep Amish sect leader Sam Mullet behind bars while he is awaiting trial on federal hate crime charges.
A public defender in his appeal says the local Sheriff and the FBI are trying to convince the judge that Mullet is a “violent doomsday cultist.”
Amish sect leader Sam Mullet, accused of orchestrating a series of beard-cutting attacks against other Amish throughout Ohio, will remain jailed pending trial in March on federal hate crimes charges.
Mullet is said to have issued death threats in the past and has complete control over his community.
The jailed leader of a breakaway sect of Amish accused of orchestrating a series of beard-cutting attacks on other Amish across Ohio has again asked a federal judge to let him out pending trial, saying he’ll allow electric lines to be installed at his house so that he can be monitored by the government.