A white supremacist who confessed to beating an elderly African-American man in Yuba County, California, has been sentenced to six years in prison.

The Yuba County Superior Court sentenced Billy James Hammett, 21, on April 21, 2006, after he pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon with force likely to produce great bodily injury and committing the crime to promote Supreme White Power, a white supremacist prison gang. 

Hammett beat and kicked transient Mason Jackson, 72, in Marysville in September. A street gang enhancement added two years to the four-year sentence for assault.

Another man was originally charged in the assault, but was freed after Hammett admitted committing the crime. 

Hammett is required to register as a gang member once he is released from prison, and will be prohibited from owning or possessing guns or ammunition.