Three men involved in a racially-motivated assault of a black man outside of a Wal-Mart in Nampa last July were handed down sentences today in Boise

U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge sentenced Michael Bullard, 23, of Middleton, to 51 months in prison and three years of supervised release; Richard Armstrong, 24, of Nampa, was sentenced to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release; James Whitewater, 23, of Nampa, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

At sentencing, Judge Lodge remarked on the significance of these crimes occurring on July 4, a day traditionally set aside to celebrate the country's independence and constitutional freedoms.

"July 4th was not a time to be congratulating yourself for a cowardly act," Lodge said.

Bullard and Armstrong were convicted by a jury in July 2009. Whitewater pled guilty before trial and testified against the other two defendants.

The victim, a 24-year-old black man, was ambushed, chased and beaten by the men after walking out of a Wal-Mart. The men used racial slurs as they carried out the attacks, according to evidence revealed during the ensuing trial.

"The victim of these crimes was minding his own business, shopping in a store in our city which is open to the public - as all of us do, and have a right to do, every day," Nampa Police Department chief Bill Augsburger said. "This man paid a high price as an example and reminder to all of us that we must protect our rights with courage, and citizens must be vigilant in defending the rights of their fellow citizens."

Witnesses testified that Bullard, Armstrong and Whitewater all participated in the assault, while Jennifer Hartpence, a girlfriend of one of the defendants, held their belongings and cheered them on. Hartpence was initially charged as a co-defendant, but her case was dismissed before it reached the jury.

"These convictions mean that racial crimes will not be tolerated... not in this country ... not on any day," U.S. Attorney Tom Moss said. "Idaho, like most other parts of this nation, has had inglorious moments in its past when people endured oppression and criminal acts merely because of their skin color, race, national origin, gender or religion. We are long past that time."