Three people have been charged with hate crimes in the mayoral election

DENVER – . Three people from Colorado Springs are facing federal charges after investigators say they orchestrated a hate crime hoax ahead of the 2023 mayoral runoff election.

The video, shared with local media outlets such as News5, shows the burning of a wooden cross with a racial slur spray-painted on a campaign sign for then-candidate Yemi Mobolade.

Derrick Bernard Jr., Ashley Blackcloud and Deanna West each face two counts: conspiracy to defraud the United States and use of fire to intimidate.

The indictment says the trio was affiliated with a local nonprofit called Family Flavors the Slide, which “marketed itself as…” as independent, minority-owned broadcasting and multimedia organization.”

Mobolade is not named in the indictment, he is referred to only as “Candidate 1,” while his opponent in the runoff, former City Councilman Wayne Williams, is referred to as “Candidate 2.”

The indictment states that one of the suspects, Bernard, once wrote to Mobolade on social media that he was “mobilizing his squadron.” The full text of the message is listed below.

“I know it's crunch time, sir, but look. . . I spoke to some of my friends in other places and with them [sic] an action in the middle. . . I'm mobilizing my squadron
in defense and for the final push. Black Ops style big brother. The Klan must not be allowed to rule this city again.”

The indictment does not say whether Mobolade responded to the message or whether the group was affiliated with his campaign.

News5 has reached out to the mayor's office for comment and said the mayor is out of town. News5 will update this story as more information becomes available.

WATCH: CSPD investigates video showing vandalized campaign sign behind burning cross

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