Eugene, Ore. – Gary Moss and Devan Klausegger of Medford, Oregon were indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit a hate crime, in which they burnt the image of a cross and the letters “KKK” into the front lawn of a biracial couple and their two children.
To view a copy of the indictment, click here.
Moss and Klausegger were both charged with one count of interfering with the housing rights of another person and one count of conspiring to interfere with civil rights. If convicted, Moss and Klausegger face a maximum punishment of 20 years of imprisonment and a $500,000 fine.
According to the indictment, on May 26, 2008, Moss poured flammable liquid on the front lawn of the victim’s residence in the shape of a cross and the letters “KKK”, and Klausegger handed Moss a small explosive device to set the flammable liquid on fire. The indictment further alleges that Moss and Klausegger committed this act with the intent to interfere with the victims’ rights under the Fair Housing Act.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bud Fitzgerald from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Trial Attorney Roy Conn from the Civil Rights Division.
The charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
