ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — A Ross County man is under investigation after making threats to burn a cross in the front yard of his sister’s home because her husband is African American.
Ross County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a Bainbridge residence Monday after a 9-1-1 caller said that her brother had been making serious threats.
According to reports, deputies arrived on the scene and spoke with the caller, who said her brother was at the home earlier in the day making threats and proclaiming that he was an “Aryan Brother” and was planning on returning later in the evening to burn a cross in their front yard.
Cross burning, historians say, has been around since the late 1800s and is a symbol of terror used by members of the Ku Klux Klan.
The sister of the man said that she had problems with her brother prior to this incident. She went on to tell deputies that the night prior, individuals at her residence had to defend themselves against an attack by her brother.
Deputies made a report of the incident and told the woman that if her brother did return, to immediately call law enforcement and not engage him.
For decades, Ross County has been a breeding ground for white supremacists. The Guardian reported earlier this year on several members of the Aryan Nation that have used Ross County as their headquarters and base for hate and terror.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Ross County is considered the birthplace of the Aryan Nation. One former Chillicothe resident and neo-nazi leader were recently placed on an international terror watch list in July.