OMAHA, Neb. -- A 66-year-old Omaha man has been sentenced to four months in prison for interference with federally protected activities. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Steven Russell announced that 66-year-old Bruce A. Quinn was sentenced Friday for interference with federally protected activities, a civil rights violation.

The U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge sentenced Quinn to four months in prison and one year of supervised release.

Quinn previously pleaded guilty to this charge on Sept. 7, 2022.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 18, 2020 a 63-year-old black man employed by the Oriental Trading Company in La Vista arrived for his shift and went to an industrial floor scrubber. 

The man reportedly discovered that an 8-to-12-inch piece of orange twine, deliberately twisted and knotted into the shape of a noose, had been left on the seat of the equipment. 

The man was the only black employee trained to use the scrubber. He was reported to be extremely distraught by the small noose; he was crying and shaking, and he later told investigators that he was scared by the noose, believing it to be a death threat directed at him.

“Federal courts have long recognized the noose as one of the most vile symbols in American history”, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Individuals, like this defendant, who use a noose to convey a threat of violence at a workplace will be held accountable for their actions.”

After the sentencing, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowal said, “Bruce Quinn used an ugly historical symbol to intimidate a co-worker. This case highlights the FBI’s mission to aggressively investigate civil rights crimes and bring to justice those who victimize someone because of the color of their skin.”

“We are grateful for Sgt. Matt Barrall’s efforts to identify the suspect and his collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office which brought a successful conclusion to the case,” said Sarpy County Sheriff Jeff Davis.

Acting U.S. Attorney Russell added, “I appreciate the excellent work of the investigators from the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This is a serious matter and their efforts, along with my staff and the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ, brought justice for the victim of this criminal act.”

This case was investigated by the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.