A white Mississippi man has received an 11-year prison sentence for his part in burning a cross near the home of an African American family.

The Justice Department says 38-year-old Louie Bernard Revette was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett in Hattiesburg.

“The defendant terrorized members of a community simply because of their race and where they lived,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will not tolerate these acts of hate, and we will continue to prosecute hate crimes like these to the fullest extent of the law.”

Revette pleaded guilty in April to one count each of interference with housing rights, which is a federal civil rights violation, and of using fire during the commission of a felony.

Revette acknowledged recruiting someone to help him build a cross to burn near the home of a juvenile in a predominantly black area of Seminary, Mississippi, in 2017. He also acknowledged building the cross to threaten, frighten and intimidate people because of their race.

“Those who instill fear and terror into our neighbors and our fellow citizens because of the color of their skin will face the full weight and force of the law from the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst of the Southern District of Mississippi. “There is absolutely no place in our society or our country for this type of behavior, and we will do all that we can to prevent these racist acts and bring to justice those who are intent on committing these crimes.”

His accomplice pleaded guilty in August and awaits sentencing in November.

From Associated Press and staff reports