HOUSTON, TX, October 19—The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) applauds investigators, prosecutors, and Judge Gray Miller for the successful handling and sentencing of a Katy man in a knockout attack on an elderly man who was targeted because he was African American.

Judge Miller sentenced 29-year-old Conrad Alvin Barrett to 71 months in prison, to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.  Barrett also was ordered to pay $2000 restitution.  Barrett pleaded guilty July 30 to violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act when he punched the 79-year-old man in the face, breaking his jaw in two places.
Barrett recorded himself on his cell phone asking whether he would receive national attention for attacking a person of color, then he recorded himself punching the elderly man.  After the victim fell to the ground, Barrett laughed and said “knockout” as he ran to his vehicle.

“We appreciate and thank everybody who was involved in the investigation and prosecution of Conrad Barrett,” said Dena Marks, ADL Associate Director.  We know the hard work of the FBI, Fulshear and Katy Police, DEA, and Justice Department led to a sentence that sends a message that these types of attacks won’t be tolerated and will be prosecuted.   We also are grateful that our law enforcement agencies take such attacks seriously and that they used the Matthew Shepherd and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a law ADL helped draft and supported, to make sure Mr. Barrett was sentenced appropriately.”

For more information or to set up an interview, call Dena Marks at 713-627-3490, ext. 234, via cell at 832-567-8843, or e-mail her at dmarks@adl.org.