Samuel Mullet Sr., 67, is the accused ringleader of the operation that spread fear through the Amish community of Ohio after he organized a series of assaults which has led to him being convicted of hate crimes.
Using his position he took wives of community members into his own home and used corporal punishment to discipline members.
Members of the Amish community are shown above as they enter the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Cleveland during the trial.
During the testimony, it was explained that women’s hair and a man’s beard symbolize the individual’s faith.
Mullet's gang of beard cutters held down howling victims and posed for photos with trophy beards using disposable cameras.
Amish people are known for their avoidance of physical conflict, which is why the Ohio case's brutality is so surprising to law enforcement.
“From day one, this case has been about the rule of law and defending the right of people to worship in peace. This was never about ‘haircuts.’ These were violent, religiously motivated home invasions that left the victims bloody, bruised and beaten,” said U.S. Attorney Dettlebach.
“Our nation was founded on the bedrock principle that everyone is free to worship how they see fit. Violent attempts to attack this most basic freedom have no place in our country.”
Amish usually resolve disputes among themselves, but the seriousness of the allegations forced them to go the police.
Samuel Mullet Sr. received a 15 year sentence. The 67-year-old ringleader will be 82 when his sentence is completed.
Comments