(CNN) -- Three men were sentenced to prison for forcing an African-American man out of a South Carolina convenience store, threatening him with a chainsaw and stealing his car, an incident the Department of Justice said was fueled by hate.





Thomas Blue Sr., 49, owner of the convenience store, was sentenced Tuesday to 13 years in prison in the 2007 incident. A second man, Judson Hartley Talbert, was sentenced to nine years, the department said. Blue's son, Thomas Blue Jr., 29, was sentenced to three years.





The three pleaded guilty in December to conspiring to deprive and depriving Dahndra "Ervin" Moore of his right to engage in a federally protected activity -- entering the convenience store -- and also to conspiring to carjack and carjacking his car, authorities said. The elder Blue also pleaded guilty to depriving two other people, both white, of their right to engage in a federally protected activity and using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence against those two.





The defendants admitted that the elder Blue "forcibly escorted" Moore out of a Marlboro County, South Carolina, store known as the Stop and Shop after he entered to use the restroom, the statement said.





"Once outside, the elder Blue forced the victim to the ground and Blue Jr. threatened the victim with a chainsaw while a small crowd watched," according to the Department of Justice statement.





While the attack was occurring, Talbert stole Moore's car, authorities said. Later, the elder Blue used a pistol to threaten two white men who he thought were trying to help the victim, including one who showed up to retrieve Moore's car.





All three men waived their right to appeal, according to court documents.





The elder Blue's attorney, Jack Swirling, called the incident "most unfortunate" and "totally unacceptable." His client, he said, is very remorseful, adding that the incident would not have occurred but for Blue's heavy drinking that day.





Kirk Truslow, the younger Blue's attorney, said his client had apologized to Moore and his family and "wishes this never would have happened." The case "went a long way in making some changes in the area," he said.





"I think it really made an impact," Truslow said. "Everyone in this area took notice."





Talbert's attorney, Morgan Martin, called the incident "regrettable" and said his client is sorry it happened.





"This case is a reminder that violent acts fueled by bigotry and hate continue to happen all too frequently in our nation, even in 2010," said Thomas Perez, assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department's civil rights division.





"This senseless, terrifying assault was quite simply the product of hate," said Kevin McDonald, acting U.S. attorney for the District of South Carolina. "I expect others tempted to act out in violent racism to take note of this prosecution and the sentences imposed."
Who was convicted ? what do the defendants admit Where had the victim stopped ? who is convicted of the attack Was a gun used ? when was the attack
Thomas Blue Sr., conspiring to deprive and depriving Dahndra "Ervin" Moore of his right to engage in a federally protected activity the Stop and Shop Thomas Blue Jr., the elder Blue 2007
question: Who was convicted ?, answer: Thomas Blue Sr., | question: what do the defendants admit, answer: conspiring to deprive and depriving Dahndra "Ervin" Moore of his right to engage in a federally protected activity | question: Where had the victim stopped ?, answer: the Stop and Shop | question: who is convicted of the attack, answer: Thomas Blue Jr., | question: Was a gun used ?, answer: the elder Blue | question: when was the attack, answer: 2007