NATION IN BRIEF : VIRGINIA : Porn-Film Message Suspect Is Convicted

A Christian Broadcasting Network technician was convicted in federal court in Norfolk of interrupting soft-porn movies with religious messages. Thomas Haynie, 38, of Virginia Beach, was accused of using a CBN satellite in 1987 to send unauthorized messages over the Playboy and American Exxxtasy cable television channels. He was convicted on one felony count of interfering with the operation of a satellite and a misdemeanor count of violating a radio license, both for the interruption of the Playboy Channel. He was acquitted of similar piracy charges regarding interruptions on the American Exxxtasy Channel. The printed messages overrode images of scantily clad women on television screens. One said: “Thus sayeth the Lord thy God: Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Haynie could be sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined as much as $260,000, prosecutors said. His attorneys said he will appeal.