Patriot Front Lawsuitsv 5 Major Legal Cases Against the White Nationalist Group (2025-2026 Updates)

Patriot Front, a white nationalist organization, currently faces multiple civil rights lawsuits across the United States totaling over $3 million in damages. As of February 2026, courts have ruled against the group in several cases involving assault, vandalism, and civil rights violations—with one lawsuit dismissed just this month.

What is Patriot Front?

Patriot Front is a white nationalist hate group founded in 2017 after splitting from neo-Nazi organization Vanguard America following the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. Led by Thomas Ryan Rousseau, the group promotes white ethnostate ideology and has been responsible for 82% of reported hate propaganda incidents in the United States according to the Anti-Defamation League.

The group has approximately 200 members nationwide and conducts “flash marches” while masked, often targeting minority communities, LGBTQ+ events, and public spaces.

The 5 Major Patriot Front Lawsuits

1. Charles Murrell III Boston Assault Case – $2.7 Million Judgment (January 2025)

Case Number: Not publicly disclosed
Court: U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Status: JUDGMENT AWARDED

On July 2, 2022, over 100 masked Patriot Front members marched through Boston. During the march, members violently attacked Charles M. Murrell III, a Black musician heading to perform at Boston Public Library.

Murrell was knocked unconscious, beaten with metal shields, and left with permanent injuries. No criminal arrests were made.

The Lawsuit Claims:

• Violation of the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 (42 USC 1985(3))
• Massachusetts Civil Rights Act violations
• Conspiracy to interfere with civil rights
• Physical assault motivated by racial hatred

The Court Ruling: U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani awarded Murrell:

• $755,000 in compensatory damages (injuries, pain, lost wages, future earnings)
• $2 million in punitive damages
• Attorney fees (amount to be determined)

Patriot Front and Rousseau failed to respond to the lawsuit or appear in court, resulting in a default judgment. Murrell testified he now suffers from PTSD, hand dysfunction that limits his musical career, and personality changes.

Key Legal Precedent: This case successfully used the 150-year-old Ku Klux Klan Act to hold a modern white supremacist group financially accountable.

2. North Dakota Marketplace Vandalism Settlement (March 2025)

Case: North Dakota Human Rights Coalition v. Thomas Rousseau and Trevor Valescu
Court: U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota
Status: SETTLED (Confidential Terms)

In 2022, Patriot Front members twice vandalized the International Market Plaza in Fargo, North Dakota—a marketplace serving African, Middle Eastern, and Latin American immigrant communities.

The attacks included spray-painting Patriot Front logos and destroying a multicultural diversity mural. The incidents caused the after-school program to temporarily shut down and forced shopkeepers and customers to curtail use of the market out of fear.

Who Filed: Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Morrison Foerster, and Robins Kaplan LLP on behalf of:

• North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
• Immigrant Development Center (IDC)
• Individual immigrant citizen

Settlement Terms (March 2025):

• Undisclosed financial payment
• Written apology from Rousseau and Valescu
• Agreement to prevent future harm in Fargo-Moorhead community
• Additional terms sealed by confidentiality agreement

Thomas Rousseau (founder/national director) and Trevor Valescu (regional director) were sued in their alleged leadership capacities. Both settled rather than face trial.

3. Arthur Ashe Mural Vandalism Lawsuit – Richmond, Virginia (Settled December 2024)

Case: Anonymous Battery Park Residents v. Patriot Front
Court: U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia (Richmond Division)
Status: PARTIALLY SETTLED (Five members settled; case ongoing against organization)

On October 21, 2021, Patriot Front members vandalized a mural honoring Arthur Ashe, the Black tennis legend and Richmond native, in Battery Park—a historically Black neighborhood.

Videos leaked in 2022 showed masked individuals spray-painting over Ashe’s face with Patriot Front symbols. Audio captured racial slurs during the vandalism.

Who Can File: This was NOT a class action. Only the two anonymous Battery Park residents who filed the original lawsuit were parties.

The Legal Claims:

• Conspiracy to violate civil rights under the Ku Klux Klan Act
• Violation of Virginia Code § 8.01-42.1 (racially motivated harassment/intimidation)
• Deprivation of enjoyment of public park
• Psychological harm to families and children

Settlement Details (December 2024): Five Patriot Front members—Nathan Noyce, Thomas Dail, Daniel Turetchi, Paul Gancarz, and Aedan Tredinnick—settled with confidential terms.

Noyce and Dail admitted in court filings to spray-painting the mural but denied it was part of a coordinated campaign. They called it a “regrettable incident.”

The lawsuit remains active against Patriot Front as an organization, Thomas Rousseau, and other unnamed members.

Important Note: Despite confessions in civil court, no criminal charges have been filed. Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney hasn’t ruled out future prosecution.

4. Doxxing Lawsuit DISMISSED (February 3, 2026)

Case: Gancarz et al. v. David Alan Capito II
Court: U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington (Seattle)
Status: DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE

Five Patriot Front members sued activist David Alan Capito II (who later changed his name to Vyacheslav Arkhangelskiy) for allegedly infiltrating the group, hacking computer systems, and publicly exposing their identities.

The Allegations:

• Capito joined Patriot Front in July 2021 using the false identity “Vincent Washington”
• Secretly photographed members’ license plates
• Used hidden microphones and cameras during gatherings
• Allegedly worked with hackers to breach Patriot Front’s servers
• Published 400 gigabytes of internal chats, videos, and documents through Unicorn Riot in early 2022
• Trespassed on members’ property and slashed tires

Plaintiffs: Paul Gancarz, Daniel Turetchi, Colton Brown, James Johnson, and Amelia Johnson

Court Ruling (February 3, 2026): U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones DISMISSED the case for failure to state a claim. The dismissal was without prejudice, meaning plaintiffs have 21 days to file an amended complaint.

Why This Matters: The lawsuit itself publicly identified the five plaintiffs as Patriot Front supporters, which critics called ironic given they sued over “doxxing.”

5. Other Active Legal Battles

While not full lawsuits yet, Patriot Front faces:

Springfield, Ohio Case: The city of Springfield filed a lawsuit after neo-Nazi group Blood Tribe (different from Patriot Front but similar tactics) harassed the Haitian migrant community. Legal experts note this uses similar Ku Klux Klan Act strategies that succeeded against Patriot Front.

Proud Boys Trademark Seizure: In a related case showing legal accountability for hate groups, a Washington D.C. court awarded the Proud Boys’ trademark to Metropolitan AME Church as part of a $2.8 million judgment in February 2025.

Who Was Affected by These Lawsuits?

Direct Victims:

• Charles Murrell III (Boston assault victim)
• Immigrant marketplace owners and customers (Fargo, ND)
• Battery Park neighborhood residents (Richmond, VA)
• Families and children who felt unsafe using public parks

Eligibility to Join: These are NOT class action lawsuits. You cannot file claims or receive compensation unless you were a named plaintiff in the original complaints.

However, if you experienced similar civil rights violations by Patriot Front or other hate groups, you may have grounds for a separate lawsuit.

What Compensation Was Awarded?

Collection Reality: Winning a judgment doesn’t guarantee payment. Courts can enforce collection through:

• Wage garnishment
• Property liens
• Asset seizure
• Bankruptcy proceedings against defendants

Civil rights attorneys note collecting from decentralized hate groups is challenging but possible over time.

How to Determine If You Were Affected

You may have legal standing if:

1. You experienced assault or harassment by Patriot Front members at public events
2. Your business was vandalized with Patriot Front symbols
3. You felt intimidated or denied access to public spaces due to their actions
4. You’re a member of a targeted community (racial minorities, immigrants, LGBTQ+) in areas where Patriot Front conducted activities

Geographic Areas with Known Patriot Front Activity:

• Boston, MA
• Richmond, VA
• Fargo, ND
• Washington, D.C.
• Nashville, TN
• Coeur d’Alene, ID

How to File a Civil Rights Claim

Step 1: Document Everything

• Photographs of vandalism or harassment
• Video evidence
• Witness statements
• Medical records (if injured)
• Police reports (even if no arrests made)

Step 2: Contact Civil Rights Attorneys

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law successfully handled the Fargo and Richmond cases. They specialize in Ku Klux Klan Act litigation.

Human Rights First and Foley Hoag LLP represented Charles Murrell in the Boston case.

These organizations often work pro bono or on contingency (you pay only if you win).

Step 3: Understand Legal Timeframes

Statute of Limitations:

• Federal civil rights claims: Generally 2-4 years depending on jurisdiction
• State civil rights claims: Varies by state (Virginia: 2 years; Massachusetts: 3 years)

Important: Don’t wait. Evidence deteriorates and witnesses’ memories fade.

Step 4: Know What You Can Claim

Under the Ku Klux Klan Act (42 USC 1985(3)):

• Compensatory damages for injuries
• Punitive damages to punish defendants
• Attorney fees
• Injunctive relief (court orders preventing future harm)

Under State Civil Rights Laws:

• Emotional distress damages
• Lost wages and economic harm
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering

What You Need to Know

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

Criminal prosecution requires:

• Government prosecutors to file charges
• Proof “beyond a reasonable doubt”
• Results in jail time or fines paid to the state

Civil lawsuits allow:

• Victims to file directly
• Lower burden of proof (“preponderance of evidence”)
• Financial compensation paid to victims

Reality Check: Many Patriot Front cases resulted in civil judgments WITHOUT criminal arrests. Don’t wait for criminal prosecution to pursue justice.

Why Hate Groups Lose These Cases

1. The Ku Klux Klan Act is powerful: Passed in 1871, it specifically targets conspiracies to intimidate people based on race
2. Default judgments: Patriot Front often refuses to participate in court, leading to automatic losses
3. Video evidence: The group films its own activities, providing prosecutors with proof
4. Pattern of behavior: Multiple incidents establish conspiracy

Common Misconceptions

Myth: “Hate speech is protected by the First Amendment, so they can’t be sued.”
Truth: Vandalism, assault, and conspiracy to intimidate are NOT protected speech. Courts have consistently ruled against Patriot Front’s First Amendment defenses.

Myth: “You can’t sue if no one was arrested.”
Truth: Civil lawsuits operate independently of criminal prosecution. The Murrell case proves you can win millions even when police make no arrests.

Myth: “Hate groups have no money to collect.”
Truth: While challenging, courts can garnish wages, seize property, and place liens that follow defendants for years.

FAQs

What are the Patriot Front lawsuits about?

The lawsuits involve civil rights violations by Patriot Front members, including assault on a Black musician in Boston ($2.7M judgment), vandalism of immigrant businesses in Fargo, ND (settled), and defacement of the Arthur Ashe mural in Richmond, VA (partially settled). All cases used the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871.

Who can file a claim in these lawsuits?

These are individual civil rights cases, not class actions. Only the named plaintiffs receive compensation. However, if you experienced similar harm, you can file a separate lawsuit with help from civil rights attorneys.

Am I eligible to join the Patriot Front lawsuits?

No. These are closed cases involving specific plaintiffs. You cannot join existing settlements. If you were a victim of Patriot Front actions, consult a <a href=”https://allaboutlawyer.com/warren-sapp-lawsuit-20m-civil-rights-claim-after-wrongful-arrest-sheriffs-office-admits-errors/”>civil rights lawsuit</a> attorney to file your own claim.

What is the deadline to file a Patriot Front civil rights claim?

There are no claim deadlines for these specific settled cases. However, statute of limitations for NEW claims is typically 2-4 years from the incident date. Consult an attorney immediately if you were affected.

How much compensation could I receive?

Depends on damages severity. Charles Murrell received $2.75 million for assault causing permanent injury and PTSD. Settlements for property damage or intimidation may be lower but still significant. Civil rights cases like James Hodges awards vary widely based on facts.

Has the Patriot Front been criminally charged?

Despite civil court victories, criminal charges have been rare. Some members face unrelated charges (Nathan Noyce was charged in the January 6 Capitol breach), but vandalism and assault cases often result in civil judgments without criminal prosecution.

Where can I report Patriot Front activity?

Contact local police immediately for crimes in progress. For civil rights violations, contact Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law or Human Rights First. Document everything with photos, videos, and witness information.

Last Updated: February 8, 2026

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Patriot Front litigation and should not be considered legal advice. Each situation is unique. Consult a qualified civil rights attorney for guidance specific to your circumstances.

Next Steps: If you believe your civil rights were violated by Patriot Front or similar hate groups, document the incident thoroughly and contact civil rights legal organizations immediately. Time limits apply, and early action strengthens your case.

Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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