LOUISIANA MAN FACES PRISON FOR CROSS BURNING (692 hits)
SHREVEPORT, La., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- A Louisiana man faces years in federal prison for burning a cross at the home of a relative involved in an interracial relationship, officials said Friday.
A jury in Shreveport, La., convicted Daniel Earl Danforth, 31, of Minden of obstruction of justice, civil rights conspiracy and use of fire in a federal felony, the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement. He could receive a sentence of up to 20 years on the obstruction charge and shorter terms on the other counts, although the actual sentence is likely to be more lenient.
Federal prosecutors presented evidence that Danforth and two cousins targeted a cousin who was romantically involved with a black man she has since married as well as relatives who approved of the relationship.
"The defendant and his co-conspirators, driven by hatred, threatened a family with violence simply because they associated with persons of another race. Incidents of this kind have no place in this country, but they are regrettably all too common," said Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez of the department's civil rights division
