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FBI Investigates Alleged Hate Crime Against Native Americans in Fernley |
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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 01 July 2011 |
FBI Investigates Alleged Hate Crime Against Native Americans in Fernley
Thursday June 30, 2011
Fernley, Nev. -- For the first time federal and local law enforcement agencies are investigating the alleged beating of a Native American in Fernley, which happened more than a month ago.
Lyon County Sheriff's Office and the FBI decided to investigate the alleged hate crime only after KRNV-TV viewers protested and emailed to demand an answer for the victims.
Authorities say, due to the nature of the incident, they won't be discussing it any further but it's the first time they have even said that much. The incident began when a fight broke out. between a group of white men and a Native American family in Fernley on May 24. No charges were filed on either side. But, a Native American man involved was arrested for an outstanding warrant, according to reports.
The Native American family said, the local sherriff’s office never asked them for a statement on the alleged attack, until now.
The local sheriff's office said they also spoke with the group of white men involved in this incident who agreed, they did not investigate anything.
District Attorney in Lyon County, Bob Auer and he says the facts don't necessarily point to a hate crime, but he says it was "a mutual fight."
“To the best I’ve heard that it seems like a mutual fight, and we are still trying to shake the facts out,” said Auer.
http://www.mynews4.com/story.php?id=46108 |
