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.
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95-036