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Feds Indict Four Police in Pa. Hate Killing of Immigrant and Corruption

Posted December 15, 2009 by Patrick Young, Esq.

The killing of Luis Ramirez in Shenandoah, Pa. in 2008 was the first of nearly a dozen hate killings and maimings of immigrants. Now two of the young men involved in the attack, along with four police officers have been indicted on Federal charges in connection with the killing and its cover-up.
Teenagers Derrick Donchak and Brandon Piekarsky were part of a group of six young men who beat Luis Ramirez. They were acquitted of all major charges by a jury in May. They are now being charged under a Federal hate crime statute. The Shenandoah police have long been the focus of criticism for poor police work during the investigation into the hate killing. Federal investigations into the crime revealed other illegal activities within the department. Here is what the AP says about the police indictments:
Separate indictments accuse Shenandoah police chief, Matthew Nestor, and three officers under his command with a variety of charges, including witness tampering and lying to the FBI. The indictments were announced Tuesday at the Justice Department.
Nestor, Lt. William Moyer, and Officer Jason Hayes were charged with conspiring to obstruct justice during the investigation into the Ramirez beating. Moyer was charged with witness and evidence tampering, and lying to the FBI.
The police chief and his second-in-command, James Gennarini, were charged with extortion and civil rights violations in a separate case. The two are accused of extorting cash payoffs from illegal gambling operations, and demanding a $2,000 payment from a local businessman in 2007 to release him from their custody.
The indictments have local significance because a similar investigation was begun in June into the conduct of the Suffolk Police Department following the killing of Marcelo Lucero.

Tags : hate crimes, luis ramirez

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