Amish Beard Cutting Attacks Trial: Sentences of Amish Sect Members Reduced

An Ohio judged has reduced the sentences imposed on eight members of an Amish sect who cut off the beards and hair of fellow members in 2011.

The defendants used a camera to take photos of the victims while being assaulted and to show the injuries inflicted on the victims.

According to the Justice Department, the defendants were also convicted of conspiracy to violate the Matthew Shepard-James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act, "which prohibits any person from wilfully causing bodily injury to any person—or attempting to do so by use of a dangerous weapon—because of the actual or perceived religion of that person, as well as for obstruction of justice by witness tampering and the destruction or concealment of evidence."

The defendants used scissors and clippers to cut or shave the beard of their male victims and cut the hair of their female victims.

U.S. District Judge Dan Polser resentenced leader Samuel Mullet, 69, to 10 years and nine months in prison from 15 years. He had already served three years, according to Reuters.

The defendants all reside in Bergholz, Ohio.

Polster denied a defense request to further reduce Mullet's sentence, saying that he showed a pattern of deception and manipulation over the community. "There is no evidence that any one thing has changed," Polster said, according to Reuters.

U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach said: "This was never about 'haircuts.' These were violent, religiously motivated home invasions that left the victims bloody, bruised and beaten. These defendants struck at two of our nation's bedrock principles – freedom of religion and the sanctity of the court system."

Four defendants – Johnny S. Mullet, 41; Lester Mullet, 30, of Hammondsville, Ohio; Levi F. Miller, 56; and Eli M. Miller, 35 – were meted 60 months in prison.

Three defendants – Daniel S. Mullet, 40; Lester Miller, 40; and Emanuel Schrock, 46 – received 43 months.

Eight other defendants – Raymond Miller, 30, of Irondale, Ohio; Linda Shrock, 47; Freeman Burkholder, 34, of Irondale; Anna Miller, 35; Elizabeth A. Miller, 40, of Irondale; Emma J. Miller, 40; Kathryn Miller, 25, of Irondale; and Lovina Miller, 35 – were set free since they have already completed their previously-imposed prison sentences.

A jury found the 16 guilty of conspiracy to obstruct justice in 2012.

Eli Miller, Lester Mullet, and Levi Miller were also found guilty of concealing evidence while Samuel Mullet was convicted of concealing evidence and making false statements to federal investigators.

They were sentenced after being involved in five separate assaults between September and November 2011.