FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CR
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1996 (202) 616-2765
TDD (202) 514-1888
ILLINOIS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CROSS-BURNING
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- An Illinois man pled guilty today to
burning a cross on the lawn of a racially-mixed apartment complex
in Belleville, Illinois, the Justice Department announced.
It is the 19th cross-burning case brought by the Justice
Department this year. Over the last two years, the Department
has brought charges stemming from cross-burning incidents against
more than 50 defendants.
In today's plea, James Mayberry, 25, admitted in U.S.
District Court in East St. Louis to violating federal criminal
civil rights laws. In July, the Justice Department charged
Mayberry with burning a wooden cross at the Belleville apartment
complex, situated 20 miles outside of East St. Louis.
"We will continue to stamp out the flames of racial hatred,"
said Deval L. Patrick, Assistant Attorney General for Civil
Rights. "Hateful acts like cross burnings strike at the heart of
the community and must be stopped."
In August 1993, Mayberry constructed an eight foot by four
foot wooden cross, brought it to the racially-mixed complex, and
leaned it against a utility pole before setting it afire. He
then threw a brick at the apartment complex, located at 800-814
Eiler Road.
"These are priority prosecution cases and this office will
take every necessary step to prevent racial violence," said W.
Charles Grace, U.S. Attorney in Fairview Heights.
Mayberry pled guilty to one count of conspiring to violate
civil rights statutes and one count of using force or threat of
force against individuals exercising their right to occupy a
dwelling.
He faces up to 11 years in prison and a $350,000 fine.
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