FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1996 (202) 616-2765 TDD (202) 514-1888 THREE INDIANA MEN CHARGED WITH CROSS-BURNING WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Three Indiana men were charged today with burning a cross on the lawn of a home occupied by a racially-mixed family in Indianapolis, the Justice Department announced. Since January, the Justice Department has filed charges stemming from cross-burning incidents against 38 defendants. The three count indictment, handed down today in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, charges Stephen J. Hartbarger, 26 Lonnie R. Hartbarger, 21, and Phillip W. Lafary, 31, all of Indianapolis, with violating federal criminal civil rights laws. According to the indictment, the three conspired to burn a cross in front of a trailer in the Lake of the Lanterns trailer park because it was occupied by a mixed-race family. "Cross burnings strike at the heart of the community and must be stopped," said Deval L. Patrick, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. "We will continue to take steps to smother the flames of hatred." The indictment alleged that on October 12, 1994, the three men burned a cross at the home belonging to Wilbur and Lisa Burton and their three children, ages two, five, and six at the time. The defendants allegedly constructed the wooden cross at Lafary's house, transported it to the Burton home, and set it afire. At 8:30 p.m. that evening, a neighbor who saw the burning cross knocked on the Burtons' door to alert them of the incident. When Mrs. Burton opened the door, she and her children saw the three by five foot cross, which was covered with approximately 25-30 firecrackers. Mr. Burton, who was at work, was told of the incident and immediately returned home. Count one of the indictment charges the three with conspiring to violate the victims' civil rights, count two charges the defendants with using force or threats against individuals exercising their right to occupy a dwelling, and count three charges the four with using fire to commit a felony. If convicted, each faces up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $750,000. # # # 96-583