A Philadelphia man was sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison today for a series of racially motivated attacks, including a terrifying road rage incident on I-95 and a harassment campaign against a city employee that involved tracking down the victim’s home address.
U.S. District Judge Gerald A. McHugh sentenced Mark Tucci, 44, to 33 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release. Tucci was also ordered to pay $16,529.44 in restitution.
Tucci pleaded guilty in August to cyberstalking, interstate communication of threats, and interfering with federally protected activities. The charges stemmed from two separate incidents where he targeted African Americans with violence and racial slurs.
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“Every citizen is entitled to a peace and security undisturbed by the abhorrent and racist threats that took place in this case, full stop,” said U.S. Attorney David Metcalf. “No citizen has the right to inflict, and no citizen has the duty to endure, the verbal harassment and racist attacks that the defendant committed in our District.”
According to court documents, the harassment began in April 2024 regarding a records request Tucci filed with a Philadelphia city agency. Over several weeks, Tucci sent emails to an agency employee that escalated into a barrage of phone calls by June.
During these calls, Tucci identified himself and screamed racial slurs at the employee and their colleagues. He threatened to go to their office the following day to “hurt everyone.”
The situation intensified when Tucci obtained the employee’s personal cell phone number and home address. He sent text messages citing the specific street where the victim lived, warning that “This is personal now.” Prosecutors said the threats caused the victim severe distress and fear for their family’s safety.
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Federal authorities also detailed a separate violent encounter from February 1, 2024. While driving in heavy traffic on I-95, Tucci pulled alongside a car driven by an African American motorist. He lowered his window and repeatedly screamed racial epithets and death threats.
When Tucci reached down into his vehicle, the other driver feared he was grabbing a gun. Instead, Tucci pulled out a glass coffee mug and hurled it at the victim’s car, damaging the vehicle.
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message: hate-based violence has no place in America,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office in partnership with the Philadelphia Police Department and Pennsylvania State Police.
“Today’s sentencing reinforces our commitment to protecting every individual’s civil rights and ensuring that those who intimidate, harass, or threaten our citizens are brought to justice,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs.
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