Contray to popular opinion the FBI/JTTF have a lot of time on their hands

Local and federal authorities have determined that a letter containing racial slurs and derogatory references to blacks mailed to a group of Virginia Beach residents is protected under free speech and did not violate local, state or federal laws.

The three-paragraph letter, which was mailed last month by a neo-Nazi group, did not "rise to the level of a criminal offense" because it did not physically threaten the residents, Beach police Lt. Lynn Stafford said.

"Unfortunately, it was just a very inflammatory letter," she said.

The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force also concluded that the residents' civil rights were not violated, said S.A. Barone, a bureau task force officer.

Tenants in a 30-unit complex on 15 1/2 Street near the Oceanfront received the letter and a journal from the American National Socialist Workers' Party late last month. The letter referred to blacks using the "n word," and the journal contained derogatory articles about Jews and blacks.

The mass mailing stemmed from a federal fair-housing discrimination case filed by five residents against John Crockett Henry, the apartment complex owner.

The residents have accused Henry of discriminating against black tenants, including calling their children a racial slur.

Henry also is accused of placing restrictions on black residents that were not applied to white residents, including a curfew.

The complaints were filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from August 2006 to February and led to administrative charges against Henry. The tenants have since taken their claims to federal court.

The May letter, which was mailed from a Roanoke post office and is signed by Bill White, a commander for the workers' party, mentions the residents' complaints against Henry.

"You may get one over on your landlord this time, and you may not. But know that the white community has noticed you and we know that you are and will never be anything more than a dirty parasite - and that our patience with you and the government that coddles you runs thin," the letter ends.

White said in a telephone interview that he was not surprised by the investigation's conclusion.

Beverly Nelson, meanwhile, said the letter still has residents worried. Some, including her 18-year-old niece, won't stay in their homes at night, she said.

"We're still living in fear here," said Nelson, who has lived at the complex since November. "My niece is so afraid that she stays at a friend's house two to three days a week. She's just never experienced anything like this."

Nelson said she and other tenants have considered moving.

"If push comes to shove," she said, "I'll just find a shelter."

Susan E. White, (757) 222-5114,

susan.white@pilotonline.com

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