ARREST MADE BURNING CROSS-BIAS CRIME

On May 25, 2012 at approximately 12:40 AM, Beltrami County Sheriff's
Office was notified of a citizen's call regarding a burning cross in
the reporting party's yard in Northern Township.  Officers responded
to the scene and interviewed the victim who was home alone at the time
and spotted a single individual fleeing on foot from the area of the
burning cross.  The citizen had doused the flames prior to deputy's
arrival.  Deputies discovered a racist message and other racist
artifacts on the cross and began investigating the scene for further
clues.

Today, June 6, 2012, Beltrami County Deputies assisted by the Bemidji
Office of the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau Of Criminal Apprehension,
arrested Derek Daniel Barnes, age 20, and Ryan Fairbanks Andree, age
19 both of Bemidji, in relation to the cross burning incident.  Both
are currently in custody at the Beltrami County jail being held under
suspicion of Terroristic Threats and use of Explosive/ Incendiary
Devices.  The investigation is being forwarded to the Beltrami County
Attorney's Office for review and charging decisions.  The case remains
under investigation at this time.