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Historic Sentencing for Gang Member who Killed Transgender Woman

Vallum had two options: he could flee or save face with the gang by killing Williamson.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - A federal prosecution under a 2009 hate crime law resulted in a lengthy prison sentence last month for a Mississippi gang member who killed a 17-year-old transgender woman—and set an important precedent that could benefit other transgender victims.

A judge sentenced Joshua Vallum to 49 years in federal prison under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. The prison term is in addition to the life sentence he received in 2015.