Franklin County man sentenced for taping ‘immigrant hunting permit’ fliers to doors
(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: A Hampton man received 2 years’ probation in a hate crime case from the summer of 2024.
Daniel Alan Embree was originally charged with eight counts of 1st-degree harassment and eight counts of 5th-degree criminal mischief–hate crime in Franklin County Court.
The 38-year-old Hampton man pleaded guilty to placing “Illegal Immigrant Hunting Permit” on the doors of several businesses– including a bar and multiple Latinx grocery stores and restaurants.
Court documents filed in June 2024 state that Embree also placed the fliers on “pre-targeted” homes.
The fliers had “Trump 2024” prominently displayed along the lower third.
Embree pleaded guilty to the 5th-degree criminal mischief–hate crime charges, as well as one additional charge of trespassing to commit a hate crime dating back to June of 2024.
He was sentenced to 2 years’ probation, but could be re-sentenced to 180 days in jail if he does not complete the probation without incident, according to court documents.
Embree was also ordered to pay $430 for each count of criminal mischief of which he was convicted — but court documents state that he may be allowed to do community service in lieu of the fines.
The harassment charges were dismissed as part of sentencing.
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(ABC 6 News) – Several Hispanic business owners in Hampton arrived at work Tuesday, Aug. 13 to find “Illegal Immigrant Hunting Permit” signs taped to their doors.
The fliers had “Trump 2024” prominently displayed along the lower third.
“It’s strong and it’s hurtful,” said Thelma Rivera, of La Luz Centro Cultural, an advocacy and cultural outreach organization.
La Luz was one of at least six locations where the fliers were found.
“I felt sick, I felt not safe,” said Janette Acolt, development coordinator at La Luz. “Nothing like this has ever happened around here. There’s obviously racism everywhere, but nothing to this extent. We provide services for everyone. It’s scary to think that even a nonprofit could be a target to something like this.”
Also targeted was a barbershop, nightclub, and multiple Latinx grocery stores and restaurants.
According to Hampton Police Chief Mark Morrison, officers are working to identify the individual or people responsible.
Hampton City Councillor-At-Large Patrick Palmer said it’s a “sad thing that doesn’t help our community or reputation.”
“It’s uncalled-for and has no place anywhere,” he added.
ABC 6 News reached out to the Trump-Vance campaign Wednesday morning, but has not received a response.
However, a source on the Iowa Team Trump of Volunteers said they are 100% confident that the material did not come from the Trump 2024 campaign and should be disavowed.