Both candidates in Colorado Springs’ mayoral runoff election in 2023 have responded to the news earlier this week that three suspects were indicted in federal court for allegedly staging a racist vandalization of a campaign sign.

Colorado Springs police, and later the FBI, investigated vandalism from the early hours of April 23, 2023. On Tuesday it was announced that Derrick Bernard Jr., 35, Ashley Blackcloud, 40, and Deanna West, 38, were indicted by a federal grand jury for “maliciously conveying false information about a threat made by means of fire,” to support their chosen candidate in the mayoral race, eventual winner Yemi Mobolade.

“That incident during my campaign led to a very traumatic time for my family, my campaign team, and our community,” Mobolade said in a statement response to the indictment.

Mobolade, who is Black, was running against Wayne Williams, who is White, in the election, which ended on May 16, 2023. The vandalism of a Mobolade campaign sign included the spray painting of a racial slur, and posting a burning cross in front.

Before the runoff, law enforcement allege that Bernard sent a message to the other two in which he explained he was “mobilizing my squad in defense. Black ops style big brother.” He also sent allegedly messages referencing a desire to prevent “the klan” from gaining political control of Colorado Springs.

“My knowledge and interaction with Bernard was as a local media personality, and I was not aware at the time that he was suspected of this crime,” Mobolade stated. “I appreciate local and federal law enforcement’s work in pursuing justice and sending a message that we will not tolerate such reprehensible behavior.”

Williams also issued a public statement following the indictment: “There were many false accusations made against me during the campaign and this smear attempt was the most egregious. I applaud the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold the alleged perpetrators of this dangerous false flag operation accountable.”

Williams continued: “This event illustrates how far some will go to spread election disinformation. Too often, such actions are used as a pretext for violence. Hopefully, this indictment will deter others and help set us on a course toward returning to civil discourse.”

All three suspects have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Both Bernard and Blackcloud told The Gazette that they were innocent of the allegations, and that the charges were in retaliation for reporting their online radio station Family Flavors The Slide had done, criticizing area politicians and law enforcement.

“The indictment is a complete falsity, and quite honestly, a desperate attempt to keep us wrapped up in courts and slander our names,” Blackcloud said.

The three have a trial conference and plea hearing scheduled for Jan. 14. Their five-day jury trial is set to begin on Jan. 21.

Bernard recently appeared in court in El Paso County, defending himself against charges that he ordered the 2019 murder of William Underwood, who went by the rapper name “FYL Jackk.” The trial was quick. Just over 48 hours after opening statements, Bernard was found guilty of three counts of murder for ordering Aee Shawn Mathews, 26, to kill Underwood. He was sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole.

Bernard has vowed to appeal the conviction.