An Indiana woman was sentenced today to 72 months in federal prison for a violent hate crime she committed earlier this year. Billie Davis, 57, was convicted of willfully causing bodily injury to a victim, identified only by her initials Z.F., by stabbing her with a knife because of Z.F.’s actual and perceived race and national origin.
The attack occurred on January 11, 2023, while Z.F., a Chinese student at Indiana University Bloomington, was riding a public bus on her way to school. According to court documents, Davis boarded the Bloomington Transit bus and sat behind Z.F. As Z.F. stood up to exit the bus at her stop, Davis suddenly produced a folding knife from her pocket and stabbed Z.F. in the head multiple times, inflicting serious injuries. The assault was unprovoked and Davis later admitted to police that she attacked Z.F. because of her Chinese heritage, referring to the victim with racist slurs.
“This was a senseless act of racially motivated violence, targeting a young woman simply going about her day,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This defendant used a knife to violently attack an innocent person based on her race, and the federal sentence handed down today should serve as a strong message that hate-driven violence will not be tolerated. The Justice Department is committed to investigating and prosecuting hate crimes, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.”
The case is part of a broader commitment by the Justice Department to combat the rise in hate crimes, particularly those targeting individuals of Asian descent. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana emphasized the importance of ensuring public safety for all individuals, especially students.
“Every person deserves to feel safe in their own community, and no one should be made to fear violence on their way to school simply because of who they are,” Myers said. “The sentence reflects our commitment to stopping violent hate crimes and shows that those who target others based on race will face the full consequences of the law.”
The FBI also condemned the attack and pledged to continue its efforts to protect the civil rights of all individuals. Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert “Alex” Middleton of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office underscored the agency’s dedication to investigating and prosecuting hate-fueled crimes.
“The FBI remains committed to protecting the civil rights of all individuals,” Middleton stated. “This case should serve as a reminder that actions motivated by hate will not be tolerated, and those who perpetrate such crimes will be held accountable.”
Billie Davis’s actions, described as a brutal and unprovoked assault on a young woman simply going about her daily life, are a stark reminder of the persistent issue of hate crimes in the United States. The federal prison sentence handed down today serves as a warning to anyone who would commit similar acts of violence.
Z.F., who was seriously injured in the attack, has since recovered from her physical injuries, but the emotional and psychological impact of the attack is still a significant part of her experience. Prosecutors have emphasized the importance of addressing not just the physical harm caused by hate crimes but also the broader societal harm that they inflict on targeted communities.
As part of the sentence, Davis will serve three years of supervised release after completing her prison term. This case also highlights the ongoing efforts of the Justice Department’s United Against Hate initiative, which seeks to combat bias crimes and promote safety for all members of society.
Anyone who experiences or witnesses a hate crime is urged to report the incident to law enforcement immediately. The Justice Department, the FBI, and other agencies are dedicated to addressing these crimes and ensuring justice for all victims of hate-fueled violence.
