The Nation - News from April 1, 1988

The man sentenced to prison on Maryland state charges in an Amtrak crash that killed 16 people was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that he had lied to officials about taking drugs the day of the accident, authorities said. Ricky L. Gates, 33, of Essex, was indicted on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of an agency investigation and making false statements, U.S. Atty. Breckinridge Willcox said. Gates, who initially said he had not used drugs, shared a marijuana cigarette with Conrail brakeman Edward Cromwell before the crash on Jan. 4, 1987, according to the statement of facts read into the record when Gates pleaded guilty in Baltimore County Circuit Court on Feb. 17.