Amish Bishop Sam Mullet Sentenced to 15 Years for Beard-Cutting Attacks

THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER
By James F. McCarty

OHIO---Amish bishop Samuel Mullet was sentenced this afternoon [Friday] to 15 years in federal prison for masterminding a series of beard- and hair-shearing attacks against perceived enemies of his breakaway sect. Fifteen of Mullet's followers, including three of his sons, also received shorter prison terms for the attacks, which the U.S. Justice Department prosecuted as federal hate crimes. [link]

Previous Plain Dealer coverage:

• Federal prosecutors pursue life in prison for Mullett 
• Federal prosecutors, defense lawyers debate religious motivation for Amish beard-cutting attacks
• Prosecution, defense both rest in Amish beard-cutting trial of Sam Mullet and 15 followers
• Amish defendant lured wary parents to his home, then sheared his father's beard, chopped his hair 
• Rival Amish bishop testifies he feared 'cultlike' activities of Sam Mullet's clan 
• Lawyers clash over Amish shearings case as trial looms Aug. 27 
• Beard-cutting attacks bring national attention to Ohio's Amish