Four activists advocating for black rights have been found guilty of federal conspiracy charges for allegedly acting as unregistered foreign agents, according to the Justice Department. Omali Yeshitela, 82, Penny Hess, 78, Jesse Nevel, 34, and Augustus Romain, 38, each face potential maximum sentences of five years in prison.
A jury in Tampa, Florida acquitted the group of the more serious allegation of acting as agents of a foreign government. Yeshitela is notable for founding the African People’s Socialist Party (APSP) and the Uhuru Movement, while Hess and Nevel are recognized as white allies in these movements. Romain leads a Georgia-based offshoot known as Black Hammer.
Sentencing dates have yet to be established. Prosecutors contended that the four engaged in various activities on behalf of the Russian government between 2015 and 2022, allegedly receiving support from Aleksandr Ionov, president of the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia.
According to the Justice Department, Ionov utilized the APSP, Uhuru Movement, and Black Hammer to disseminate Russian perspectives on political matters, including the Ukraine war. The Justice Department further stated that Ionov’s influence efforts were orchestrated and supervised by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).
Ionov, along with two suspected FSB agents, Aleksey Borisovich Sukhodolov and Yegor Sergeyevich Popov, have also been indicted in connection with this case and remain at large. The Justice Department claims that the American activists were aware of Ionov’s affiliations with the Russian government.
Among the cited activities was a 2015 petition drafted by the APSP to the United Nations, accusing the United States of genocide against African peoples. Additionally, Ionov reportedly aimed to influence the 2017 mayoral election in St. Petersburg, Florida, in which Nevel ran unsuccessfully.
Leonard Goodman, representing Hess, expressed to local media that the prosecution appears to be an attempt to stifle their pro-Russian opinions, asserting that “this case has always been about free speech.” Following the verdict, Yeshitela emphasized that they were not convicted of working for anyone other than the interests of black individuals, stating, “I am willing to be charged and found guilty of working for black people.” Meanwhile, Mutaqee Akbar, who represents Nevel, announced plans to appeal the convictions.
