Self-proclaimed criminal advocate and left-wing activist Alex Friedmann has been found guilty of felony vandalism charges for smuggling weapons into a Tennessee prison.
The jury found Friedmann guilty of vandalism and sentenced him to 25 years in Nashville prison. He had placed handcuff keys, guns, and hacksaw blades into walls that were under construction. Friedmann disguised himself to be a worker in construction.
It is unclear what purpose the weapons served and what prison reform activists intended to do with them. Law enforcement officers reviewed thousands of hours’ worth of surveillance footage during their investigation.
Here’s what Amy Hunter, Deputy District Attorney, stated in closing arguments:
“We don’t know: Who were those bullets intended for? Who was going to be stuck with that knife? Who was going to try to get something from the other side of the visitation booth, and what were they going to do with it? And why?”
Back in 2016, Friedmann became a consultant for Bernie Sanders’ campaign and was active in organizations promoting prison reform.
Friedmann was previously incarcerated for attempted armed theft. Later, he became involved in groups like Prison Legal News (Human Rights Defense Center), and Restorative Justice Coalition of Middle Tennessee.
More details of this report from The Daily Wire:
The activist also presented testimony before the Tennessee legislature and Congress involving prison bills.
Friedmann’s attorney said that the state wanted more money in damages than actually done and said he was liable for less damage. Prosecutors, however, said that it cost $291,000 to change all the locks at the facility because Friedmann had stolen keys from the new Downtown Detention Center.
According to Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall, the jail was only “two weeks away from a massive loss of life,” and the stage had been set for a violent jailbreak. Hall had been in talks with Friedmann about at least one other jail in Nashville, the Associated Press reported.
“Understand, this plan went far beyond vandalism. Ultimately, it included planting various tools, weapons and security equipment throughout this facility — all designed to assist in a massive escape plan,” Hall said around the time of the initial arrest, saying that some of the guns hidden in the jail were loaded.
Friedmann was arrested in January 2020 after officers found him entering the prison using keys he had stolen. While he was being detained, he ate jail plans he had been carrying with him.
The activist also faces federal gun charges.
Sources: DailyWire, Associated Press