Cutler Bay Man Gets 4 Years For Threatening Mosque

MIAMI, FL — A 26-year-old Cutler Bay man has been sentenced to four years in prison after threatening to blow up a suburban Miami mosque in May. Dustin Allen Hughes of Cutler Bay admitted to one count of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs through the threatened use of a dangerous weapon and explosive of persons in the free exercise of religious beliefs. Prosecutors said Hughes made four telephone threats to the Jamaat Ul Muttaqeen Mosque of Pembroke Pines, Florida.

"During the plea hearing, Hughes admitted that on May 5, he called an emergency contact for the Jamaat Ul Muttaqeen Mosque of Pembroke Pines, Florida, and left a hate-filled and profanity-laden voicemail message denigrating Islam and threatening to blow up the mosque," federal prosecutors explained.

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"Hughes further admitted that in his message he specifically stated that he had a detonator, that he was "going to blow your . . . temple up," and that "you guys are all going to be up in flames after I'm done with you," according to prosecutors.

There were no bombs found and no one was injured.

"This prosecution sends a clear message that committing hate crimes has serious consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Benjamin Greenberg in announcing the sentence on Thursday. “Along with our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prosecute those individuals who threaten members of our South Florida community because of their religious beliefs.”

U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno in Miami also sentenced Hughes to three years supervised release and ordered him to pay $1,800 in restitution.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert F. Lasky in Miami said that his agency has made hate crime cases a top priority.

“Freedom of religion is a fundamental right for every American,” said Lasky. “The FBI and its partners will work tirelessly to ensure anyone who threatens those rights is held accountable.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Davis and Trial Attorney Samantha Trepel of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.

“The sentence handed down today reflects the seriousness of threats to places of worship, which can instill fear in whole communities,” added Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute hate crimes so that all people, no matter how they worship, can live their lives freely and without fear.”

The threats were investigated by the FBI, FBI Miami Area Corruption Task Force, Pembroke Pines Police Department, Miami-Dade Police Department and Miami Police Department.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano