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Contact: Jim Cross
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July 15, 2008
THIRD MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO LYING ABOUT HARASSING BLACK YOUTH
TOPEKA, KAN. – Andrew S. Ralph, 21, Concordia, Kan., pleaded guilty Tuesday to lying to an FBI investigator about a drunken incident in which a black student was tied and taunted with racial epithets.
In his plea, Ralph admitted that on May 19, 2007, he attended a high school graduation party hosted by co-defendant David B. Endsley in Waterville, Kan., which is part of the Waterville/Blue Rapids community. Most of the people at the party, including the defendants and the victim, consumed alcohol.
About 2 a.m., co-defendant Endsley found the victim, J.L., asleep on the ground and put him in a lawn chair. Endsley said that he was going to “tie the nigger up.” While the victim was tied, the defendants -- including Ralph -- directed racial slurs at him and urinated on him. Endsley used a can of spray paint to paint the victim’s arms and legs white. The defendants -- including Ralph -- told the victim he should go back where he came from before he moved to the Waterville and Blue Rapids area.
On Aug. 14, 2007, an FBI agent interviewed Ralph about the incident. Ralph falsely denied witnessing or participating in the incident.
Ralph is scheduled for sentencing Oct. 15, 2008. He faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Endsley pleaded guilty earlier this month to one count of making a false statement to investigators. In addition, Endsley and co-defendant Isaac Q. Clark pleaded guilty to one count of criminal interference with the right to fair housing. Their sentencing is set for Sept. 30, 2008.
U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorney Kathleen Monaghan and Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot for their work on the case.