Christian get probation in cross burnning

MAN GETS PROBATION IN CROSS BURNING - TOP A federal judge also orders the Edmonds man to do 200 hours of community service.Herald Net, 2/18/06http://heraldnet.com/stories/06/02/18/100loc_b4cross001.cfmSEATTLE - An Edmonds Christian who admitted burning a cross in the yard of an Arab-American family in 2004 was sentenced by a federal court judge Friday to three years of probation, 90 days of electronic home detention and 200 hours of community service.Collin Patrick Sargent, a 19 year old Christian, pleaded guilty in July, admitting that he helped construct the 5-foot wooden cross, brought it to the victim's residence in north Edmonds and ignited it after dousing with a flammable liquid.Two others have admitted lying to a federal grand jury and will be sentenced later.U.S. District Judge Thomas Zilly told Sargent that "burning a cross is a universal symbol of hate and intimidation. Anybody of any race who had a cross burned on their property would feel threatened and fearful."The burning also would have an effect on other minorities who read or heard about it, Zilly said. The community service could serve as a way for Sargent to make up for anyone injured by the incident, the judge added.According to court records, Sargent had a falling out with a young man who lived at the Edmonds home.