White nationalist from Charlottesville rally nicknamed ‘Crying Nazi’ is charged with threatening to rape a woman
Christopher Cantwell sent a series of threatening text messages in bid to uncover information about leader of a far-right group
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The white nationalist nicknamed the “Crying Nazi” after he was featured in a documentary about clashes in Charlottesville has been found guilty of extortion and threatening to rape a woman.
Christopher Cantwell, 39, was convicted on Monday of one count of transmitting extortionate communications and one count of threatening to injure property or reputation, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire. He was found not guilty of cyberstalking.
Federal prosecutors said Cantwell used the Telegram messaging app to threaten to rape a Missouri man’s wife if he did not give him personal information about the leader of a white supremacist group called Bowl Patrol.
Cantwell, according to prosecutors, sought the personal information of someone who went by the name “Vic Mackey”, who was believed to be the leader of the group. He also sent a series of threatening text messages because he believed members of the group were harassing him online.
Besides threatening rape, Cantwell also said he would release the man’s personal information and report him to child protective services in messages dated from 15 June 2019 until 17 June 2019.
“So if you don’t want me to come and f*** your wife in front of your kids, then you should make yourself scarce,” one message read. “Give me Vic, it’s your only out.”
Lawyers for Cantwell defended their client by stating the messages were just “obscene” and “over the top”, not actually a serious threat. But prosecutors disagreed.
“Sending threatening and extortionate messages over the internet can instill fear and emotional damage,” said US Attorney Scott W Murray with the District of New Hampshire. “I am grateful to the jury for weighing the evidence in this case and finding that this defendant’s disturbing conduct was unlawful.”
Cantwell now faces up to 22 years in prison on the two counts.
The New Hampshire resident became known for chanting “Jews will not replace us” in a Vice documentary showing the 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. He earned the nickname “Crying Nazi” by online commenters after releasing an emotional video on Facebook about a warrant issued for his arrest.
He pleaded guilty to assault in 2018 after using pepper spray on counter-protesters during the 2017 rally and was banned from Virginia for five years due to his actions.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments