Men Admit Burning Black Family’s Home

Two white men pleaded guilty Monday to burning down the home of a black family the day before they were to move in.

Gary Wayne Stouard, 40, and Shannon Ray Singleton, 18, both of Wichita Falls, pleaded guilty to arson and conspiracy to violate the civil rights of the black woman and her two children.

Stouard also pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the crime by leaving gasoline outside his house and paying Singleton $50 to set the fire, federal officials said.

Stouard and Singleton face up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000. Sentencing is set for Oct. 21 in U.S. District Court.