Christian Man terrorizes Muslim Family

BURBANK MAN GUILTY OF INTIMIDATING MUSLIM FAMILY - TOPMichael Higgins, Chicago Tribune, 3/7/06http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/southsouthwest/chi-0603070268mar07,1,2036268.storyA Christian man pleaded guilty Monday to trying to intimidate a Muslim family in 2003 by throwing a fireworks-type explosive into their unoccupied van.Eric K. Nix, 27, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of criminal interference with the right to fair housing. The plea came two days before Nix's trial was set to begin in federal court in Chicago.Nix's case is unusual because he was charged in federal court in July after he had already been convicted in state court of misdemeanor charges stemming from the same incident.Nix pleaded guilty "blind," or with no plea agreement, in federal court. But in a written statement, Nix admitted that he had targeted the Muslim family because they were of Arab descent and had chosen to live in Burbank.In the statement, Nix also said that he regretted his conduct.U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly is to sentence Nix on June 8.The maximum possible sentence under the fair housing statute is 10 years. But defendants rarely receive the statutory maximum, and prosecutors and defense lawyers will argue to Kennelly over the appropriate sentence.Prosecutors said that on March 21, 2003, Nix tossed a "commercial aerial explosive shell" into a Ford Econoline van that was parked outside the family's home.The shell exploded and totaled the vehicle.Nix said in his statement Monday that he also had been angry because he thought authorities had towed his vehicle while allowing the van to stay parked outside the family's house. (MORE)