Colorado Springs man sentenced to 46 months in prison for staging hate hoax cross burning to help Mayor Yemi Mobolade’s campaign

36-year-old Derrick Bernard offered to help Yemi Mobolade gain attention during his 2023 campaign. Bernard reportedly sent messages promising “Black ops style big brother,” and “I can guarantee the finish.” Bernard would go on to circulate photos showing a burned cross next to a campaign sign for Mobolade that had the N-word painted on it.

The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) initially reviewed surveillance footage from the scene, identifying three individuals late at night staging the incident. A federal investigation by the FBI determined the hate crime was a hoax intended to drive voter turnout.

Mobolade went on to win the election with 58 percent of the vote, becoming the first black mayor of Colorado Springs. He testified during the trial that he had no knowledge of Bernard’s actions and said the incident caused fear for his family.

“This was not just politics for me; this was personal, Mr. Bernard. What you and others have done has caused real harm, not just to me, but to members of my campaign,” Mobolade said during sentencing.

US District Judge Regina Rodriguez issued the sentence on Wednesday, saying, “This isn’t a case about threats against one person; it was a case about threats against an entire community.”

“Threats against public officials are very serious matters and have been on the rise,” Rodriguez added.

Federal prosecutors also charged Ashley “Trinity” Blackcloud and Deanna West in connection with the scheme. After a five-day trial, Bernard and Blackcloud were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States and related charges. West pleaded guilty to conspiracy in exchange for the dismissal of an additional charge.