Thomson prison inmate -guilty of murder, hate crimes in the death of inmates -Shaw Local

Rockford – An inmate in the Thomson prison in Thomson was convicted of murder and a hate crime in the murder of an occupant colleague, of which the prosecutors say he was killed because he was Jewish.

A federal jury in front of the US district court in Rockford found Brandon Simonson, also known as “Whitey”, 41, from Moorhead, Minnesota, on Tuesday, May 13th, from all four against him in connection with the death of Matthew Phillips. According to the press release, these charges include a second degree, conspiracy, murder, hate crime and assault.

According to proofs that were presented in the seven -day study, Simonson conspired with the co -accused Kristopher Martin to beat Phillips because he was a Jew. Simonson and Martin attacked Phillips to gain recognition and membership in a white supremacist anti -Semitic prison gang called Valhalla Bound Skinheads.

The evidence showed that Simonson kicked Phillips in the face and head, although Phillips was passed out and could not defend itself, according to the release. The attack on March 2, 2020 led to Phillips's death three days later.

Martin, also known as “No Luck”, 43, from Brazil, Indiana, committed to the conviction at the beginning of this year and is waiting for the conviction.

Simonson will be convicted on August 22, 2025.

The convictions were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, lawyer of the United States of the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. Depodesta, Special Agent of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. According to the press release, the US prison office was supported.

“We are grateful to the jury that in a very difficult case they granted justice for the family of Mr. Phillips and the people in the northern district of Illinois,” said Boutros. “The essential convictions in this case are the result of the exceptional commitment and commitment of our prosecutors and law enforcement companies. We will not tolerate such efforts everywhere in our district, including in our prison system.”

“The FBI and our law enforcement partners are responsible for those who endanger the security or lives of others, even those who are convicted in prison,” said Depodesta. “We continue to ask the public to keep our communities protected against violence as in this case by reporting threatening or suspicious behavior to the local law enforcement authorities or the FBI.”

The government was represented by deputy US lawyers Vincenza L. Tomlinson and Ronald Dewald.