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.
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