Santa Barbara, CA, August 29, 2005 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today commended the Ventura Police Department's Special Enforcement Team for its swift arrest and execution of a search warrant on the residence of Ian Morrow, a seasoned white supremacist, who was arrested August 25 on suspicion of assault by forceful means likely to produce great bodily injury after an August 20th attack on a Latino man at the San Souci bar on Chestnut Street.

Pursuant to a search warrant, Ventura Police Department uncovered evidence of a white supremacist internet business and an abundance of extremist, racist literature and paraphernalia. 

Julie Saltoun, Director of ADL's Tri-Counties Office, issued the following statement:

ADL commends the Ventura Police Department's Special Enforcement Team for their thorough and speedy arrest and search of Mr. Morrow's home.  Law enforcement worked diligently to obtain and execute the search warrant and their efforts may provide significant information in solving recent hate crimes in the community and in reducing the number of future hate crimes. 

Hate crimes are significant because of the impact that they have on the entire community.  We hope that this incident will encourage victims and witnesses to report hate crimes to authorities. Ventura Police Department treats such crimes very seriously and is to be commended for its high level of responsiveness.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.