(COLORADO SPRINGS) — One of the three people who were indicted of a hate crime hoax that occurred during the 2023 Colorado Springs Mayoral Runoff Election pleaded guilty on Tuesday, March 11.
On Tuesday, Deanna West known as “Vital Sweetz” and “Sage West” took a plea agreement where she pleaded guilty to one count of maliciously conveying false information about a threat by means of fire: a burning cross in front of a campaign sign defaced with a racial slur.
In April 2023, the three suspects allegedly worked together to stage a racially motivated crime in which one of Yemi Mobolade’s campaign signs was spray painted in red with a racial slur and a cross lit on fire in front of it. The three then allegedly spread false information about the event through an email from an anonymous source to various news and civic organizations.
According to court documents, the maximum sentence for a violation of this court is not more than five years imprisonment, not more than three years supervised release, nor more than a fine of $250,000, a $100 mandatory victim’s fund assessment fee, and restitution in an amount to be determined at sentencing.
West will be sentenced on June 13, 2025, The other two defendants, Derrick Bernard Jr. and Ashley Blackcloud, are awaiting trial.
