MITCHELL, Hulon Jr. (Yahweh ben Yahweh)

Hulon Mitchell Jr., who adopted the name Yahweh ben Yahweh ("God, Son of God"), founded the Nation of Yahweh in 1979 in Miami, Florida, claiming to be the son of God and the Messiah for black people. His movement combined Black Hebrew Israelite theology with black supremacist ideology, teaching that African Americans were the true Israelites and that white people were devils destined for destruction.

Mitchell established a communal religious organization that grew to include thousands of followers across multiple states, operating businesses, farms, and residential compounds. Members wore white robes and adopted Hebrew names while following strict dietary laws and behavioral codes. The organization amassed significant real estate holdings and operated various enterprises in Miami's Liberty City neighborhood.

Federal investigations revealed that Mitchell's organization operated as a criminal enterprise involved in murder, extortion, and arson. Prosecutors alleged that new members were required to kill white people or defectors to prove their loyalty, with severed heads and ears presented as trophies. The group was linked to 23 murders between 1981 and 1991, including the beheadings of former members.

In 1992, Mitchell and 15 followers were convicted on federal racketeering charges. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison and served 11 years before his release in 2001. Mitchell died in 2007, but the Nation of Yahweh continued operating under different leadership, though with significantly reduced membership and influence.