SALT LAKE CITY — More than three years after he was convicted of walking into a Salt Lake tire store and attacking three men after announcing that he was there to kill Mexicans, a Salt Lake man has been sentenced to prison.

Alan D. Covington, 55, was convicted on Feb. 19, 2020, of three counts of federal hate crimes following a five-day trial after a jury determined he attacked a father, son and brother at their Salt Lake tire shop because they are Mexican.

On Monday, Covington was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised released. A prepared statement by the U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday does not address why it took so long for the sentence to be handed down

But according to the court docket, restrictions on in-court appearances during the COVID-19 pandemic appear to have played some role.

"In light of heightened concerns regarding COVID-19 cases and exposure within the District of Utah, Chief Judge Shelby issued General Order 20-010 'as a means of protecting, as much as possible, the health of the participants while preserving the rights of those accused of committing crimes.' Among other things, that order provides that in-person hearings should be held only in 'exceptional circumstances and after the exhaustion of all other available options.' The defendant continues to request an in-person sentencing hearing in this case. The defendant expects to present evidence and witnesses during the hearing. Additionally, the defendant has retained a psychiatrist for evaluation, which he expects to take another 30-60 days. The defendant has therefore asked … to continue sentencing for another 60 days," according to a court entry on Jan. 5, 2021.

On Nov. 27, 2018, Covington, who was homeless, walked into Lopez Tires, 1621 S. Main, shouting that he wanted to "kill Mexicans" and then struck a man in the head with a metal pole. A second man was also struck, and Covington swung the pole at a third man.

Luis Lopez had to have a metal plate put in his face after his cheek bone was smashed by Covington.

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'This was a hate crime': Family speaks out against man charged in attack at Salt Lake City tire shop

A man accused of walking into a tire store threatening to “kill someone” before attacking two men with a metal pipe Tuesday told authorities he specifically targeted the business because it was Mexican-owned, according to court documents.

"This defendant brutally assaulted a family and attempted to kill a young man because he believed they were Mexican," assistant attorney general Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division said in a statement. "Such bias-motivated violence is fundamentally at odds with our most deeply held values."

Covington was charged in 3rd District Court with aggravated assault, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and drug possession. But on Feb. 3, 2020, prosecutors were unable to proceed with a preliminary hearing, according to court records, and the case was dismissed. Seventeen days later, he was charged in federal court.

Defense attorneys had argued that Covington, who is black and his ex-wife is of Mexican heritage, did not have any prejudice against Latinos. Prosecutors, however, disagreed.

"This was a horrific act of hate-motivated violence and there is no place for it in our state or country," U.S. Attorney for Utah Trina Higgins said in a statement Tuesday. "These victims are part of our community, and no one should ever have to fear for their safety because of their race or nationality. With Covington now behind bars, we hope the victims and their families can find peace and heal from this unspeakable act of hate."

"We hope the sentencing provides some measure of justice for the victims, whose lives will never be the same because of Mr. Covington's heinous actions," said Shohini Sinha, special agent-in-charge of the FBI Salt Lake City field office. "Our country is rich in diversity, and violence motivated by hate – like all violence – has no place here."

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