Amish

A Beard Too Far: Group Claims Feds Overstepped In Amish 'Hate Crime' Case

Ryan J. Reilly | April 24, 2012, 5:45AM

Jefferson County Sheriffs Department booking photos from left, Levi Miller, Johnny Mullet, of Bergholz, Ohio. (Associated Press)

The federal prosecution of a gang of Amish beard cutters who allegedly assaulted other members of their religion demonstrates the Justice Department has overstepped its bounds, according to a conservative law firm that has intervened in the case.

The Center for Individual Rights, a conservative non-profit law firm which has fought against affirmative action programs and defended James O'Keefe, filed an amicus brief in U.S. v. Samuel Mullet et al last week. The center argues that the circumstances of the Mullet case don't meet the requirements of the hate crimes act and should be prohibited by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

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Amish

Attorneys For Amish Haircutting Mob Argue Hate Crimes Law Is Unconstitutional

Jillian Rayfield | March 7, 2012, 12:15PM

Johnny Mullet, Lester Mullet, Daniel Mullet, Levi Miller and Eli Miller wait to make their pleas in Holmes County Municipal Court in Millersburg, Ohio. October 19, 2011. (AP Photo)

Lawyers for an accused Amish beard-cutting mob are arguing that the federal hate crimes law under which the Ohio men are being prosecuted is unconstitutional, for religious reasons.

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Amish

Twelve In Alleged Amish Hair-Cutting Ring Plead Not Guilty To Hate Crimes Charges

Jillian Rayfield | January 12, 2012, 12:58PM

Johnny Mullet, Lester Mullet, Daniel Mullet, Levi Miller and Eli Miller wait to make their pleas in Holmes County Municipal Court in Millersburg, Ohio. October 19, 2011. (AP Photo)

Sam Mullet, the leader of a breakaway Amish clan, and eleven other members of an alleged hair-cutting mob pleaded not guilty to federal hate crimes charges.

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Amish

12 Indicted On Hate Crimes Charges For Hair Cutting Assaults Led By Break-Off Amish Group

Ryan J. Reilly | December 20, 2011, 5:21PM

Johnny Mullet, Lester Mullet, Daniel Mullet, Levi Miller and Eli Miller wait to make their pleas in Holmes County Municipal Court in Millersburg, Ohio. October 19, 2011. (AP Photo)

A federal grand jury in Ohio returned a seven-count indictment on Tuesday that charges 10 men and two women with federal crimes related to what the feds say were religiously motivated attacks of rival Amish factions.

Several members of the Mullet breakaway clan -- Samuel Mullet Sr., Johnny S. Mullet, Daniel S. Mullet, Levi F. Miller, Eli M. Miller, Emanuel Schrock and Lester S. Mullet -- were arrested by the FBI in late November. Tuesday's grand jury indictment includes charges against Lester Miller, Raymond Miller, Freeman Burkholder, Anna Miller and Linda Shrock.

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Amish

Agents Found Drugs, Hair Clippers During Raid On Amish Beard-Cutters

Jillian Rayfield | December 1, 2011, 10:32AM

Johnny Mullet, Lester Mullet, Daniel Mullet, Levi Miller and Eli Miller wait to make their pleas in Holmes County Municipal Court in Millersburg, Ohio. October 19, 2011. (AP Photo)

Federal agents say that they found evidence of marijuana and cocaine, as well as clippers and scissors during a raid on the compound of the Amish beard-cutting suspects, now charged with hate crimes.

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Sam Mullet

Hate Crime: Feds Charge Amish Beard-Cutting Suspects With Civil Rights Violations

Ryan J. Reilly and Jillian Rayfield | November 23, 2011, 1:28PM

Bergholz Clan leader Sam Mullet (AP)

Federal officials have arrested seven Amish men in Ohio and charged them with violating the Hate Crimes Prevention Act in connection with a string of beard-cutting incidents.

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Sam Mullet

FBI Arrests Seven Amish Haircutting Suspects In Raid

Jillian Rayfield | November 23, 2011, 9:49AM

Bergholz Clan leader Sam Mullet (AP)

In a raid early Wednesday morning in Ohio, FBI agents and local sheriff's deputies arrested seven Amish men alleged to be connected to a string of attacks by a haircutting mob, including alleged cult leader Sam Mullet.

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