WASHINGTON (CN) - An Indiana man got almost two years in prison for burning a cross on an interracial couple's front yard. He is the fourth Indiana man in two months to get prison time for burning a cross, the Department of Justice said.
Bruce Mikulyuk, 50, of Mishawaka, Ind., was sentenced to four months for interfering with the housing rights of the white woman and her black husband. He pleaded guilty in October.
According to the plea agreement, Mikulyuk built a cross, took it to the couple's home and set it on fire. Mikulyuk returned later that night with a hunting knife and threatened the husband, officials said.
Three Indiana men were sentenced in November after pleading guilty to charges of interfering with housing rights and conspiracy for burning a cross in the yard of a black family in July 2008.
"The burning cross is an unmistakable symbol of hatred with a painful history, and it has no place in this country," Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez said. "Unfortunately, such incidents are all too common."
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