FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        CRM
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 1996                           (202) 514-2007
                                             TDD  (202) 514-1888


                 OHIO PRISON INMATE RACKETEERING 
         AND WEAPONS CHARGES UNSEALED IN CLEVELAND, OHIO


     CLEVELAND, OHIO -- The Department of Justice announced the
unsealing today of racketeering and firearms charges against Ohio
state prison inmate James D. Crow, in federal court in Cleveland,
Ohio.  In a previously sealed proceeding, Crow pled guilty to the
charges on July 3, 1996 before U.S. District Judge Kathleen
O'Malley.

     The racketeering charge involves corruption, bank fraud, and
drug distribution schemes that Crow carried out while incarcerated
in the state's Mansfield Correctional Institution (MANCI) in
Mansfield, Ohio.  Crow's schemes included providing gratuities to
the prison's Chief of Security, William T. Mack, and another prison
guard, Robert Snow, in exchange for preferential treatment.  The
preferential treatment included unauthorized conjugal visits,
Mack's advocacy for Crow's early release from prison, and the
importation of drugs into the prison.  As part of the racketeering
activity, Crow also devised a bank fraud scheme through which he
obtained a $100,000 loan to purchase rental properties in
Mansfield, Ohio.  

     Former Chief of Security Mack was indicted on August 6, 1996
on charges stemming from his relationship from Crow. The guard,
Robert Snow pled guilty to corruption and drug distribution charges
in June 1996. 

     Crow also pled guilty to aiding and abetting the possession of
firearms with their serial numbers obliterated.  From inside the
prison, Crow arranged for residents of Mansfield to obtain two
firearms and remove the two serial numbers.  As part of a scheme to
obtain his early release from prison, Crow arranged to have one of
the weapons delivered to the home of an Ohio State Representative,
making it appear that Crow had obtained the weapon himself inside
the prison and mailed it directly to the Representative.  The state
Representative is not a target of the investigation,  

     Crow, 32, faces up to 25 years in prison and a fine of
$500,000 for these convictions.

     These convictions stem from an ongoing investigation into
corruption and other misconduct at the Mansfield Correctional
Institution.  The investigation is being conducted jointly by the
FBI, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Ohio Department of
Rehabilitation and Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by the
Public Integrity Section of Criminal Division of the Department of
Justice.  

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