Kenneth Delgado, a 40-year-old resident of New York, is facing a potential five-year prison sentence following his guilty plea to a hate crime charge. Delgado admitted to threatening the life of Dana Nessel, the openly lesbian and Jewish Michigan Attorney General, due to her sexual orientation and religion.
The threat was made in response to an October 21, 2023 social media post by Nessel, where she spoke about the tragic murder of Samantha Woll. Woll, a close friend of Nessel, was a significant figure in the Jewish community, known for her interfaith work and youth initiatives. She was also involved in Nessel’s re-election campaign. Tragically, Woll was found fatally stabbed outside her home, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
A Community in Mourning
Nessel's post expressed her grief over the loss of Woll, highlighting Woll's dedication to bettering her community through her faith and activism. "Sam was one of the most compassionate people I have ever met," Nessel wrote. "Her love for her community, state, and country was sincere and profound. She dedicated her life to making the world a better place for everyone." The post also featured a photograph of Nessel smiling alongside Woll, a testament to their close relationship and shared commitment to public service.
It was on this post that Delgado left his disturbing comment, stating, "Watch every step you take, you disgusting drunk ... Nazi you will be #murdered." The hateful message was reported by The Detroit News and led to Delgado's arrest and subsequent guilty plea.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Delgado was charged with transmitting threats in interstate commerce, a federal offense that carries significant legal consequences. His sentencing is scheduled for September 22, where U.S. District Court Judge Nancy G. Edmunds will determine his fate.
FBI Special Agent Cheyvoryea Gibson commented on the case, emphasizing the seriousness of threats against public officials. "Threatening public officials is both illegal and unacceptable," Gibson stated. "The hateful comments made by Mr. Delgado were especially egregious. The FBI remains committed to working with our partners to identify and prosecute those who issue dangerous threats against dedicated public servants."
Standing Against Hate
Attorney General Nessel has been a prominent figure in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and has spoken out against efforts to undermine marriage equality. At the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Nessel praised then-presidential nominee Kamala Harris for her refusal to defend California’s ban on same-sex marriage during her tenure as attorney general. Nessel criticized ongoing Republican efforts to challenge the 2015 Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. During her speech, she passionately declared, "For the Republicans and the justices of the United States Supreme Court: You can pry this wedding band from my cold, dead, gay hand!"
Nessel's legal career includes significant victories for LGBTQ+ rights, such as the 2014 Michigan case DeBoer v. Snyder, which struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. More recently, she has successfully argued for LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination protections in housing before Michigan’s Supreme Court. She also played a key role in repealing a law that allowed adoption agencies to discriminate based on religious beliefs.
Progress and Advocacy
In 2021, Nessel implemented a transgender-inclusive policy within her department to ensure respectful treatment of transgender and nonbinary employees and clients. Moreover, she joined 15 other state attorneys general in opposing Florida’s "Don’t Say Gay" law by signing a court brief challenging the legislation.
The legal proceedings against Delgado underscore the ongoing challenges faced by public officials who stand for equality and justice. As the LGBTQ+ community continues to strive for acceptance and equal rights, leaders like Nessel remain at the forefront, advocating for change and resilience in the face of adversity.
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