Texas Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Hate Crime, Arson After Setting Fire to Synagogue

A Texas man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for a hate crime and arson after he set a local synagogue on fire, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday.

Franklin Sechriest, 19, of San Marcos, admitted he targeted the Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Austin, Texas, “due to his hatred of” Jewish people, according to a news release. Authorities recovered journals in which Sechriest jotted down his antisemitic statements and views, noting that the suspect possessed several decals and stickers expressing antisemitic messages.

According to court documents, Sechriest drove to the synagogue’s parking lot outside its sanctuary on Oct. 28, 2021, three days before the arson attack, to “scout out” his target.

Read the source article at The Hill