Derrick Bernard, who helped stage a cross burning that he said was intended to help elect Colorado Springs' first Black mayor, was sentenced in federal court Wednesday to nearly four years in prison.
U.S. District Judge Regina Rodriguez said jurors rejected Bernard's claim that Mayor Yemi Mobolade knew about the plan when they convicted Bernard and his wife, Ashley Blackcloud, of making a threat or conveying false information about a threat, as well as conspiring to do so. The cross burning and subsequent spreading of false information harmed Mobolade and his family and affected the city's election, Rodriguez noted.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive voices and community leaders have emphasized the seriousness of using racial intimidation tactics in a mayoral race, particularly when targeting a historic candidate. Supporters of Mobolade have pointed to the fear that was instilled in the mayor's family as a consequence of the plot.
Mobolade, who communicated with Bernard before and after the cross burning through his work at a local radio station, said Bernard 'took advantage of my openness.' The former pastor told the court that his family stopped walking their children to school out of fear and purchased an escape ladder because his wife was having nightmares about their home being set on fire.
Now running for re-election, Mobolade said he is more cautious but remains committed to his community. 'I don't believe any family should have to live like that,' he said in court.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservatives and some legal observers have noted the complexity of the case given First Amendment protections around cross burning. Defense attorneys highlighted Bernard's mental health issues during sentencing, with Rodriguez acknowledging he has 'deeply held conspiratorial views' about officials in Colorado Springs.
Bernard called Mobolade's courtroom statements 'a speech for his re-election,' suggesting the mayor was using the proceedings for political gain. The defense has maintained that Bernard's intentions, while misguided, were not intended as a true threat.
Some commentators have questioned whether the conviction appropriately distinguishes between protected speech and actual threats, given the nuanced nature of the case.
What the Numbers Show
Bernard was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for the cross burning plot. He was previously sentenced to life in state prison after being convicted in 2024 of orchestrating the killing of a rapper in Colorado Springs.
His wife, Ashley Blackcloud, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison but is appealing her conviction and sentence. A third person, Deanna West, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy under a plea agreement.
According to the plea agreement, prosecutors and West's lawyer agreed the conspiracy's goal was to interfere in the campaign of Mobolade's opponent and create the belief that Mobolade was being discouraged from running because of his race.
Mobolade became Colorado Springs' first Black mayor when he took office. He is currently running for re-election.
The Bottom Line
The sentencing concludes a significant chapter in a case that drew national attention to Colorado Springs politics. Judge Rodriguez emphasized that while cross burning is protected by the First Amendment, the false threat caused real harm to Mobolade and his family.
Mobolade has denied any involvement in the plot and continues to maintain his innocence regarding knowledge of the scheme. His re-election campaign has taken place against the backdrop of this controversy, with the mayor stating he is 'praying for God to help me forgive.'
Legal observers will likely watch the appeal of Ashley Blackcloud's conviction, which could address questions about how conspiracy charges apply to cases involving speech that crosses legal lines. The case serves as a reminder of the complex intersection between First Amendment rights and laws against making false threats.