2 Reputed Skinheads Face Federal Charges in Attack

Federal criminal charges have been brought against two reputed skinheads in a machete attack on a black teenager, an assault blamed for setting off a monthlong spate of racial incidents in the Antelope Valley.

But state hate crime charges against one of the youths have been dropped because he was not identified by witnesses in a lineup, prosecutors said.

The federal charges were revealed Monday during a hearing at Sylmar Juvenile Hall on whether the youth still facing state counts can be tried as an adult.

If prosecuted as adults for violating federal civil rights laws, the youths, both 16, could face up to 10 years in prison. If found guilty as juveniles, they could be held until age 21.