The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged a Mason City man with one count of interfering with the housing rights of an African American family. In information filed in U.S. District Court today, the U.S. Attorney alleges that 21-year-old Justin Hanson fired a B.B. gun and placed a racially offensive sign in the yard of the home of an African American family on May 9th or 10th.
The information states Hanson did so because of their “race and national origin” and because they were occupying a home in his neighborhood. If convicted, Hanson would face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Hanson is scheduled to make his first appearance in U.S. District Court when he’s arraigned on April 20th.