FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CR FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1995 (202) 616-2765 TDD (202) 514-1888 FOUR POLICE OFFICERS INDICTED FOR SETTING MAN AFIRE WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Four police officers in the Virgin Islands who allegedly set a homeless man on fire were indicted today by a federal grand jury, the Justice Department announced. The four count indictment, returned today on St. Thomas, charged the four with conspiring to violate the civil rights of Maurice Clarke, a St. Thomas civilian. In June 1993, according to the indictment, Officers Francis Brooks and Kent Hodge poured alcohol on a shirt worn by Clarke and then set his shirt afire. Officers Tracy Robinson and Richard Velazquez allegedly neglected to protect Clarke from the assault and burning. "We cannot tolerate abusive acts by law enforcement officials who violate the rights of the very people they are charged to protect," said Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Deval L. Patrick. Count one alleged that the defendants conspired to violate the civil rights of civilians. Count two alleged that Hodge and Brooks hit Clarke with their hands and a stick and then set his shirt on fire. Count three alleged that Richardson and Velazquez failed to protect Clarke from the brutality of Hodge and Brooks. Count four charged Hodge and Brooks with the use of fire in the commission of a felony. "We are especially pleased with the joint investigation conducted by the federal and local authorities," said W. Ronald Jennings, U.S. Attorney in St. Thomas. If convicted, Brooks and Hodge face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a $750,000 fine. Richardson and Velazquez face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virgin Islands Police Department. It will be prosecuted by the Department's Civil Rights Division and the United States Attorney's office. The U.S. Attorney cautioned that, as in any indictment, the defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until convicted in a court. # # # 95-036