
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 24, 1990                   TAG: 9005240506
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: By Associated Press
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                LENGTH: Short

CBN EMPLOYEE PLEADS INNOCENT TO FEDERAL CHARGES

A Christian Broadcasting Network technician pleaded innocent Wednesday to federal charges he interrupted satellite broadcasts on movie channels with his religious messages.

According to a Norfolk grand jury indictment released last month, Thomas M. Haynie is accused of using CBN's station in Virginia Beach to interrupt programming on the Playboy Channel and Home Dish Only.

On the Playboy Channel, viewers of the movie "Three Daughters" got a surprise Sept. 6, 1987, when a message appeared on their screens: "Thus sayeth the Lord thy God. Remember the sabbath and keep it holy. Repent for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

On the same evening, programming on Home Dish Only was interrupted twice by similar messages.

The indictments charge that Haynie used the CBN equipment to disrupt transmissions from two privately owned satellites - SPACENET I and SATCOM IV.

Haynie is charged with three counts of interfering with the operations of a satellite and three counts of violating Federal Communications Commission radio licensing regulations.

Haynie's trial was set for July 26.

FCC officials said investigating complaints of satellite piracy is difficult. Investigation of the case began in 1988.

by CNB