Man Arrested For Lying About Involvement In Marion Cross Burning

A Marion Virginia man is arrested in connection with a Marion cross burning incident earlier this month. 40 year old James Brown was arrested for lying about the cross burning and for interfering with fair housing based on race. Police received a report of a cross burning in the front yard of an African American family, one of whom helped organize a civil rights protest the day before. Brown lied to federal investigators about his role in the cross burning. Eye witnesses stated that Brown admitted to the cross burning and used racial epithets when referring to the African American family. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Marion Police Department and the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office.