2 Accused of Violating Man’s Civil Rights

LOS ANGELES — Two men have been charged with violating a Rialto man’s civil rights by throwing lighted flares into cars parked outside his home, the U.S. attorney’s office said Monday.

A three-count federal grand jury indictment accuses Jason Williams, 21, and Lee Ryan Rose, 19, both of Rialto of conspiring to violate the constitutionally protected housing rights of Montague McKinley, 26, an African American.

The indictment also accuses Rose of throwing a flare that destroyed a car outside McKinley’s home June 26. Rose and Williams were accused of taking part in another arson attack on a car in front of McKinley’s house July 9.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Michael Gennaco said the two men were arrested immediately after the second attack. The San Bernardino County district attorney’s office charged them with arson.

Williams, who had been free on bail, surrendered to FBI agents Monday. His father, Francisco, said his son is being wrongly accused. “He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said the elder Williams.

Federal prosecutors have filed a writ asking San Bernardino County authorities to turn over Rose, in jail since his arrest, so he can be taken to Los Angeles federal court to answer the hate crime indictment.

If convicted, Rose faces a maximum of 30 years in prison; Williams faces a maximum of 20 years.