FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CR

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1998 (202) 616-2777

THREE INDICTED FOR CIVIL RIGHTS ATTACK ON HISPANICS IN IDAHO

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A federal grand jury in Boise, Idaho has

indicted three Nampa, Idaho, men for physically assaulting
Hispanic residents last summer, and chasing Hispanic children
through the street while yelling racial slurs, the Justice
Department announced.

The six count indictment, presented yesterday and unsealed

today, charges Scott Brooke, 18, Jack David Carter, 18, and Chris
Maurer, 19, with violating federal civil rights laws as well as
conspiracy and using a sawed-off shotgun to commit a crime of
violence.

"This administration is firmly committed to putting an end

to racial violence," said Attorney General Janet Reno.

The indictment stems from a series of alleged racially

motivated attacks against several Hispanic men, women and
children in Nampa last summer. Three youths were also charged
with committing acts of juvenile delinquency in connection with
the same civil rights offenses. Federal law prohibits the
release of names or photographs of persons charged as juveniles.

"Hate crimes reflect a cancer of the soul and have no place

in our society," said Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil
Rights Bill Lann Lee. "Our constitution and laws protect the
right of all people to go about their daily lives free from
intimidation and racial assaults. We will always be vigilant in
our efforts to prosecute those who use hatred and violence in an
effort to divide our communities."

Count one of the indictment alleges that from December 1996

through August 1, 1997, the defendants and others conspired to
interfere with the fair housing rights of Hispanic residents of
Nampa. Among other things, the conspiracy count alleges that the
individuals:

physically assaulted Hispanics at or near their homes on

five occasions in the summer of 1997, including on two
occasions by striking their victims with firearms;

chased a 14-year-old and a nine-year-old Hispanic child

through the streets of the children's Nampa neighborhood,
yelling racial slurs; and,

attacked two Hispanic men as they arrived to visit Hispanic

friends at their home in Nampa, yelling racial slurs and
telling their victims that they should go back to Mexico.

"I can think of nothing more important to the people of

Idaho than protecting their basic right to live peacefully in
their neighborhoods," said Betty Richardson, U.S. Attorney in
Idaho. "We need to ensure that all members of our community are
safe, regardless of their race, color, religion or ethnicity."

Counts two, three and four of the indictment charge the six
individuals with specific instances of using force or the threat
of force to interfere with Hispanic residents' housing rights,
including a July 4, 1997, assault on an Hispanic man and woman as
they were moving in with the man's parents in Nampa.

Count five of the indictment charges the defendants with

using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.

Count six of the indictment alleges that the firearm used by

the defendants to strike their victim during a July 13, 1997,
assault was an illegal and unregistered sawed-off shotgun.

If convicted on the four criminal civil rights charges, the

adult defendants each face a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and
a $250,000 fine per count. If convicted on the federal weapons
offenses, the adult defendants each face an additional mandatory
10 years imprisonment.

An indictment is only a charge, and is not evidence of

guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty
beyond a reasonable doubt.

"The people of Canyon County simply will not tolerate

criminal conduct based on racial hatred," stated Canyon County
Prosecuting Attorney David L. Young. "Where, as here, federal
law and procedure provide the best forum for prosecution, we will
do all that we can to ensure that a prosecution in federal court
is successful."

The Nampa Police Department and Federal Bureau of

Investigation worked together over the last year in conducting
the investigation. The Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney's
Office is assisting the United States Attorney's Office and the
Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in
prosecuting the case.

"The investigation was a model of cooperation between state

and federal law enforcement agencies," said Betty Richardson, the
U.S. Attorney in Idaho.

Tom Kubic, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Salt Lake

Field Division, which covers Idaho, also praised the
investigative efforts. "This investigation and prosecution
demonstrate that on cases of utmost urgency to our community the
FBI and local law enforcement, such as the Nampa Police
Department, will combine their resources to conduct the most
thorough examination of the evidence possible. The FBI is
committed to working in partnership with local law enforcement to
pursue this kind of crime."

Last year, Attorney General Reno launched a Justice

Department initiative to fight hate crimes across the country.
As part of that initiative, regional task forces were created to
focus on hate crimes. Next Wednesday, lead prosecutors from each
task force will participate in a conference in Washington, D.C.
to coordinate their efforts nationwide.

No trial date has been set.

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