Woman Pleads Guilty in Hoax Cross Burning to Discredit Colorado Springs Mayor

A woman involved in a scheme to set a cross on fire near a campaign sign for Colorado Springs' first Black mayor has pleaded guilty to charges related to the hoax. Deanna West, one of three individuals indicted in the 2023 incident, admitted her guilt in Denver federal court to participating in a conspiracy to orchestrate the fire and then spread false information about it leading up to Mayor Yemi Mobolade's election.

In exchange for her plea, prosecutors agreed to drop an additional charge concerning the act of setting the fire. Authorities allege that after staging the cross burning, photos and videos were disseminated to media outlets and civic organizations, creating the impression of an attack on Mobolade.

The Hoax's Objective

According to the plea agreement, the conspiracy's primary aim was to interfere with the campaign of Mobolade's opponent and foster the belief that he was facing discouragement from running due to his race. West, who was reliant on one of the other charged individuals, Derrick Bernard, for both employment and housing, agreed to participate in the scheme to gain favor with him, as stated in the legal document.

Legal Defenses and Arguments

Lawyers representing Bernard and Ashley Blackcloud, the third person charged, contend in court filings that the government's evidence indicates their clients were attempting to assist Mobolade in securing victory by generating outrage. They argue that the actions constituted a form of political theater, protected under the First Amendment as free speech.

Both legal teams are seeking the dismissal of charges against their clients, asserting that no one was threatened by the cross set ablaze during the night, and that no one other than the defendants witnessed the incident. The indictment reveals that Bernard communicated with Mobolade both before and after the cross-burning on April 23, 2023, and following Mobolade's electoral victory in a May 6, 2023, runoff election.

Communication and Mayor's Response

Approximately a week prior to the cross-burning, Bernard conveyed to the then-candidate via Facebook message that he was "mobilizing my squadron in defense and for the final push. Black ops style big brother. The klan cannot be allowed to run this city again." Three days after the incident, they engaged in a telephone conversation lasting approximately five minutes.

Mobolade vehemently denies any prior knowledge, warning, or involvement in the crime. A city spokesperson, Vanessa Zink, referred a reporter to a video statement issued by Mobolade on social media in December, shortly after the three individuals were indicted. In the statement, the mayor acknowledged knowing Bernard as a "local media personality" and displayed a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice indicating that he had been identified as a victim or potential victim during the investigation into the cross burning.

Mobolade further stated that he willingly provided all requested communications to investigators.