Two Sentenced For Independence, Missouir Hate Crime

A man and woman will serve time in federal prison after a racially motivated arson attempt on a black family's home in Independence.

The Independence Examiner reports a federal judge on Thursday sentenced 34-year-old Victoria A. Cheek-Herrera to more than six years in prison. And 25-year-old old Logan J. Smith was sentenced to more than five years in prison for violating the family's civil rights in June 2008.

During their plea hearing in August, Smith and Cheek-Herrera admitted discussing their desire to set fire to the couple's home. They also drew a swastika and wrote "White Power" on the driveway, and threw a Molotov cocktail at the couple's home, causing minor damage. No one was injured.