- The founder of a neo-Nazi group was sentenced to 30 days in jail for littering.
- Police found him and two other men distributing antisemitic flyers in Palm Beach, Florida.
The founder of a prominent neo-Nazi group receive a 30-day jail sentence this week for tossing antisemitic flyers out of a truck in Palm Beach, Florida.
Jon Minadeo II, who set up the Goyim Defense League, was unanimously found guilty of a littering charge by a jury, WPTV reported.
It relates to an incident back in March, in which West Palm Beach Police found Minadeo and two other individuals driving around the area and throwing out the flyers from a U-Haul truck, according to WPTV.
"We used this charge of littering because it was the only tool in our arsenal against these hate-mongers," said Palm Beach State Attorney Dave Aronberg in a news conference on Thursday, per NBC Miami.
"Now, because of a bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Caruso, we have new arrows in our quiver," Aronberg added. "We have new powers to go after these individuals criminally for spreading their filth."
NBC Miami reported that prosecutors did not use the actual content of the flyers during the trial.
Aronberg was referring to the passage of HB 269, which was approved by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in May. The bill prohibits the intentional dumping of litter that "evidences religious or ethnic animus."
Republican Rep. Mike Caruso said in January that he decided to sponsor it in response to a rise of antisemitic incidents in the state.
Before the verdict was released, Minadeo told WPTV: "I do believe they're trying to censor free speech by using tactics like littering."
He later told the news outlet that he believes HB 269 is unconstitutional.
However, those in the courtroom said the flyers constituted hate speech, making the verdict a just one.
"The hideous vile hatred that these men were throwing at people's doors, they have no right to do it," said Maxine Sutherland, a Jewish woman who was in the courtroom, according to WPTV.
She added that Floridians have to "speak up and not let these thugs get away with just their pure evil."
The Goyim Defense League's primary activity is disseminating antisemitic propaganda, primarily in Florida and other southern states, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
In addition to distributing flyers, it runs an online video platform for antisemitic content and has displayed anti-Jewish banners from highway overpasses, the ADL said.
In September, Insider reported on an incident in which the Goyim Defense League, along with extremist hate group Blood Tribe, paraded Nazi swastika flags in Orlando.
They performed Nazi salutes and proclaimed "Heil Hitler," Insider reported.
West Palm Beach Police did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.