Civil Rights Feds Pinch Pennsylvania Man For Interference With Another's Housing Rights In Connection With Cross Burning Incident

From the U.S. Department of Justice:

• Ryan M. Held, aka Ryan M. Foley, 20, of Philipsburg, Penn., was indicted on March 27, 2012, by a federal grand jury on charges stemming from a cross burning he committed in August 2010. The indictment was unsealed [Tuesday, April 10, 2012].



• According to the indictment, on or about Aug. 20, 2010, Held burned the cross because a woman was associating with an African-American male within the residence.



• The two-count indictment charges Held with violating the housing rights of the two victims by burning the cross for the purpose of threatening and intimidating the victims in order to interfere with their rights to occupy a dwelling free from racial discrimination.

For the Justice Department press release, see Pennsylvania Man Indicted for Cross Burning.

Go here for links to other cross burning incidents from the U.S. Justice Department.