Anderson County Man Indicted for Cross-Burning

KNOXVILLE, TN—Steven D. Archer, 49, Heiskell, Tennessee, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of willfully interfering with a couple's federal housing rights because of their race by burning a wooden cross, in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 3631(a), outside the residence in Anderson County that the victims were occupying. The cross-burning is alleged to have occured on July 23, 2008.

"Cross-burning is a despicable act of hatred and intolerance" said United States Attorney James R. Dedrick. "Americans of all races should be free to live where they choose, undisturbed by such deplorable conduct." The Federal Burea of Investigation and the United States Attorney's Office, in conjunction with the Civil Rights Division, United States Department of Justice, will aggresively investigate cross-burnings and all other hate crimes.

If convicted, Archer faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years and a $250,000 fine.

Members of the public are reminded that indictments contain only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. For further information please contact James R. Dedrick, United States Attorney, Trey Hamilton, Assistant United States Attorney, or Sharry Dedman-Beard, Public Information Officer at 865-545-4167.