Life Sentence for Hate Crime Conviction in Prison Beating

Strategic Insights -

Brandon Simonson, 41, of Moorhead, Minnesota, has been sentenced to life in federal prison after being convicted of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, hate crime, and assault in the death of fellow inmate Matthew Phillips. The assault occurred on March 2, 2020, in Thomson Penitentiary, Illinois, and resulted in Phillips' death three days later. Simonson and his co-defendant, Kristopher Martin, 43, of Brazil, Indiana, conspired to beat Phillips because he was Jewish, with the goal of gaining recognition and membership into a white supremacist antisemitic prison gang called the Valhalla Bound Skinheads.

Key Takeaways:

  • Brandon Simonson was sentenced to life in federal prison for his role in the hate crime beating of Matthew Phillips, a fellow inmate at Thomson Penitentiary in Illinois.
  • Simonson was convicted of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, hate crime, and assault, in a case that involved antisemitic violence and a conspiracy to join a white supremacist prison gang.
  • The assault occurred on March 2, 2020, and resulted in Phillips' death three days later.
  • Simonson's co-defendant, Kristopher Martin, pleaded guilty earlier this year and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 9, 2025.
  • The FBI and law enforcement partners have vowed to aggressively enforce federal laws to protect people of faith and ensure that all Americans feel safe in practicing and expressing their faith.
  • Valuable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the investigation and prosecution of the case.
  • The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vincenza L. Tomlinson and Ronald DeWald, with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.
  • Safety and recognition were key factors in the motivations behind Simonson and Martin's actions, with the goal of joining the Valhalla Bound Skinheads gang.

Statistics:

  • 1 inmate sentenced to life in federal prison for hate crime conviction.
  • 2 charges: second-degree murder and hate crime.
  • 2020: year of the assault and murder of Matthew Phillips.
  • 41: age of Brandon Simonson at the time of sentencing.
  • 3 days: time frame between the assault and Phillip's death.
  • 2 defendants involved: Brandon Simonson and Kristopher Martin.

Sources:

  • United States Attorney's Office Northern District of Illinois
  • FBI - Chicago Field Office
  • Federal Bureau of Prisons