Rio Rancho man takes plea deal for sending racist threats via Facebook
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Brian Pritchard took a plea deal in federal court Wednesday for sending racist threats over Facebook messenger, including a photo of a noose.
Te Barry, one of the founders of the Black New Mexico Movement, says Pritchard sought him out and first messaged him in the fall of 2020.
Barry said Pritchard has unsent several messages, including one that was a picture of a noose. Other messages – still visible – include some Proud Boys propaganda and a picture of a Black Lives Matter flag on fire.
Facebook messages technically cross state lines – opening the door for a federal offense. Pritchard pled guilty Wednesday to a charge of use of interstate communications with a threat to injure. He was sending a different victim very similar messages.
In one message directed to an unidentified woman, Pritchard calls her the N-word. Court documents show he admitted to sending the message, and also admitted to sending a picture of a noose.
Brian Pritchard took a plea deal in federal court Wednesday for sending racist threats over Facebook messenger, including a photo of a noose.
However, in court Pritchard told a judge he did not intend those messages to be threatening.
Barry was at the court hearing Wednesday as Pritchard took a deal that will likely lead to probation.
KOB 4 tried to talk to Pritchard after the court hearing Wednesday, but his lawyer shot us down.