A harrowing lawsuit has been filed, detailing a pattern of racially motivated harassment and intimidation that has left a family in fear for their lives. On June 21, 2024, Matthew A. Heckman and Janet Kemp lodged a complaint in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against their neighbor, Dennis J. Jumper.
The plaintiffs, Heckman and Kemp, allege that since purchasing their property at 4150 Carlisle Road in October 2021, they have been subjected to continuous racial harassment by Jumper. This includes brandishing firearms, verbal threats laced with racial slurs, and physical intimidation aimed at them and any visitors or contractors who are racial minorities. The complaint states that this behavior violates several federal statutes including the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq.), as well as state laws.
Heckman and Kemp recount multiple incidents where Jumper's actions created a hostile environment. On November 14, 2021, while moving into their new home with the help of two African American movers from At Home Services LLC, Jumper allegedly approached them with a rifle and hurled racial slurs such as "Niggers" and "Koons," threatening to "blow their heads off." Despite reporting this to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), no charges were filed against Jumper.
The pattern continued with various contractors refusing to work on the Heckman property due to Jumper's intimidation tactics. In March 2022, workers from Martin’s Garden Solutions left halfway through a job after being menaced by Jumper pacing along his property line with a rifle. Similar incidents occurred with Liberty Basement Systems in May 2022 and Handy landscapers in May 2023.
In one particularly terrifying incident on November 3, 2023, Jumper fired dozens of gunshots onto the Heckman property for over an hour while Heckman and Kemp took shelter inside their home. One shot even grazed a propane tank on their property. Again, PSP declined to press charges citing it as a civil matter because Jumper claimed he was hunting.
The plaintiffs argue that these acts are not isolated but part of an orchestrated campaign by Jumper to drive them out of their home due to their association with racial minorities. They claim this has severely impacted their ability to maintain personal relationships and hire contractors for necessary home maintenance.
Heckman and Kemp are seeking compensatory damages for emotional distress and punitive damages for what they describe as outrageous conduct by Jumper. They also request an injunction to prevent further harassment.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Eric B. Smith and Vincent R. Cocco from Timoney Knox LLP. The case is presided over by Judge Susan E. Schwab under Case ID: 1:24-cv-01016-SES.