Federal prosecutors are opposing a request to reduce the prison sentence of a man who threatened to attack gay organizations and events, including the 2013 LGBTQ parade in Huntington.
Robert Fehring, a retired teacher from Bayport, was sentenced last year to 30 months in prison after mailing dozens of violent threats to LGBTQ groups and individuals over the last several years. He is seeking to reduce his sentence because of his age–75–and medical conditions.
One of his threats read, “Think the Boston insanity was insane?…wait til you see the parade in Huntington on Saturday!!! Whoopee!!!!!”
Prosecutors said “the Boston insanity” referred to the bombing of the Boston marathon, which killed three people and injured 260.
He had also threatened to bomb the New York City gay pride parade, threatened the Stonewall Inn, and to attack a Black barbershop in Brooklyn.
At the time of his sentencing last year, Suffolk County police commissioner Rodney Harrison said, “Robert Fehring made heinous threats against members of the LGBTQ community in locations throughout New York, including Suffolk County, for nearly eight years. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our department’s Hate Crimes Unit detectives and the diligent work of our law enforcement partners, Fehring is being held accountable for his crimes.”
In opposing the reduction in sentence, prosecutors said that Fehring failed to “present extraordinary and compelling reasons for relief and the section 3553(a) factors weigh heavily against a sentence reduction” and that he is managing care for his pre-existing conditions in prison.