According to prosecutors, Kenneth Pilon (61) is charged with making threats knowing that the communications could be considered a threat.
According to a criminal case, Pilon called nine Starbucks locations in Michigan on June 14, 2020 and told workers to "tell all the employees who wore Black Lives Matter Tshirts that the only good ***** was a dead *****."". Pilon is also accused of telling an employee, "I'm going to go out and lynch you a n *****."."
Over the next month, Pilon left four nooses in different parking lots and another one inside a convenience store called 7-Eleven. Handwritten notes were attached to each noose that read: "An accessory for your 'BLM" t-shirt. Protest with joy!
Pilon was charged with six counts of violating Title 18 United States Code Section 245. According to the Department of Justice, it is illegal to "willfully injure or intimidate any person" or to attempt to do so by force or threat of violence because of another person's race or religion.
The complaint says that Pilon "intimidated and attempted to intimidate citizens to participate lawfully in speech or peaceful assembly opposing the denial to Black people's rights to enjoy police protection & services free from cruelty."
The FBI is currently investigating.