3 Pittsburgh Men Indicted In Bolivar Cross Burning

Three Pennsylvania men have been indicted by federal officials on charges they burned a cross in the yard of a black teenager last year.

The Department of Justice announced Thursday that Michael Bealonis and Kenneth Stiffey Jr., of Robinson, Pa., and Michael Bracken, of Bolivar, Pa., have been charged with conspiracy to interfere with the housing rights of another, interfering with the housing rights of another, and using fire in the commission of a felony.

Federal officials did not identify the black teen. But the boy's guardian, Joe Walbeck, confirmed to the AP that the charges related to a cross burning at their Bolivar home in November. Walbeck, who is white, is the guardian of the 16-year-old boy, Shaq. Walbeck said the three men charged are white.

The men were all released on $15,000 unsecured bond.

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