SCN Applauds Strong Sentencing of Former California Man Convicted of Hate Crimes and Attempted Murder of Jews

 The Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America, applauds the sentencing of Jaime Tran to 35 years in federal prison. Tran pleaded guilty to the premeditated shooting of two Jewish men as they left religious services in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood of Los Angeles in 2023.

Tran, 30, pleaded guilty to two counts of federal hate crimes with intent to kill, as well as two counts of using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. Prosecutors revealed that Tran specifically targeted Jewish individuals in the predominantly Jewish Pico-Robertson neighborhood. Over the course of two days, Tran used an illegally purchased firearm to shoot two visibly Orthodox Jewish men, both of whom survived. Tran had a long history of expressing antisemitic views, making numerous derogatory comments about Jewish people and expressing his intent to harm them.

Tran, 30, pleaded guilty to two counts of federal hate crimes with intent to kill, as well as two counts of using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. Prosecutors revealed that Tran specifically targeted Jewish individuals in the predominantly Jewish Pico-Robertson neighborhood. Over the course of two days, Tran used an illegally purchased firearm to shoot two visibly Orthodox Jewish men, both of whom survived. Tran had a long history of expressing antisemitic views, making numerous derogatory comments about Jewish people and expressing his intent to harm them.

In 2023, SCN logged a record 5,404 threat incidents and suspicious activity reports, 112% higher than 2022’s total of 2,551. Additionally, SCN worked closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement, including the FBI, to refer 1,619 individuals to authorities in 2023 — a 110% increase in referrals from 2022.

In response to this complex and dynamic threat environment, SCN has worked in coordination with local, state, and federal authorities and local and national Jewish community partners to respond to these incidents and ensure coordination between law enforcement and the Jewish community across North America.

SCN urges every community to remain vigilant and recommit to preparation, review and enforce existing security protocols, and maintain coordination and communication with law enforcement and security personnel. For imminent threats or emergencies, dial 9-1-1, and report all suspicious activity to local law enforcement as well as appropriate local reporting authorities, and SCN’s 24/7 Duty Desk at [email protected] or by calling 844-SCN-DESK.

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