By: Jamie Bernal III
jamie@seymourherald.com
On Sunday, the FBI was called in to investigate hate crimes in the Jerry Lynn Way neighborhood in Seymour.
The vandalism involves defacing fences, trees and other property, hanging nooses, and writing and posting racist signs on property.
According to James Taylor, a resident of the neighborhood, this is not the first time this has occurred.
“We have been harassed on a regular basis,” Taylor said.
In this latest attack, one of the graffiti messages on the fence said “Die Mexi.” This is, according to Taylor, referring to his wife, Maria, who is Hispanic. He said that she can rarely go outside without hearing a racial remark yelled her way.
Another resident in the community has had his car broken in to and gas stolen in the past.
 “We can’t put our finger on anyone to prosecute them because we can’t catch them in the act,” Taylor said.
Five people had acts of vandalism committed to their property on Sunday. The FBI cannot comment on the situation during the ongoing investigation.
Anyone involved with the case at the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office could not be reached by telephone by press time on Wednesday.
Like the FBI’s investigation, The Herald is still exploring the situation.
Check out next week’s issue of the Herald for more information.

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