Three suspects indicted in 2023 Colorado Springs Mayoral election hate crime hoax

COLORADO SPRINGS (KXRM) — Three people were indicted on Tuesday for charges related to an alleged hate crime hoax that occurred during the 2023 Colorado Springs Mayoral Run-Off Election where a candidate's campaign sign was vandalized with a racial slur in front of a burning cross.

On Tuesday, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced that 25-year-old Derrick Bernard Jr. "Phoenixx Ugrilla," 40-year-old Ashely Blackcloud "Ashley Hernandez" and “Trinity Black Cloud,” and 38-year-old Deanna West "Vital Sweetz" and "Sage West," were indicted for allegedly maliciously conveying false information about a threat made by means of fire.

According to the indictment, the three involved were all associated with Family Flavors the Slide WBN, a minority-owned independent broadcasting and multi-media organization.

According to court documents, on the early morning of April 23, 2023, the three suspects allegedly worked together to stage a racially motivated crime in which one of Mobolade's campaign signs was spray painted in red with a racial slur and a cross lit on fire in front of it.

Documents state that on the same day at around 9 p.m., Blackcloud and West drove to a large retail store in Colorado Springs to use the free Wi-Fi to create a Gmail account that was used to send an email to Mobolade's campaign and multiple other organizations that contained video of the campaign sign and a photograph of a document entitled "Hate in Elections."

Before the 2023 Mayoral Election Run-Off — which involved candidates Wayne Williams and Yemi Mobolade — Bernard sent a Facebook message to Mobolade where, according to the indictment, he explained he was “mobilizing my squad in defense. Black ops style big brother.” He also sent the other defendants messages referencing a desire to prevent “the klan” from gaining political control of the city.

The indictment alleges Bernard texted Mobolade multiple times, with Bernard and Mobolade allegedly even speaking for approximately five minutes on the phone the night of April 26, 2023.

The day prior, on April 25, Bernard and West posted their opinions on Family Flavors the Slide WBN Facebook post about the cross burning.

Later in May, Bernard texted Blackcloud a link to apply for job positions with the City, with a message that read "on backend I got a plan” and “I want favors quicker than later.”

According to the indictment, the staging was done maliciously during an election in an attempt to intimidate Mobolade.

As of Nov. 12, Blackcloud made her initial appearance in court. Bernard is in state custody and expected to make an appearance following a transfer into federal custody and West is a fugitive.

When asked for comment, the Mayor's Office told FOX21 News it is not commenting at this time.