Franklin Sechriest, a 19-year-old resident of San Marcos, Texas, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, with an additional three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $470,000 in restitution for committing a hate crime and arson against the Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Austin on October 31, 2021.

Sechriest pleaded guilty to hate crime and arson charges on April 7, confessing to intentionally targeting the synagogue due to his hatred of Jews. Journals recovered from Sechriest revealed virulent antisemitic statements and views, and he was found in possession of decals and stickers expressing similar sentiments.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division emphasized the severity of the crime, calling it a "depraved, antisemitic attack" and stressing that such violence has no place in society. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas echoed this sentiment, stating a commitment to combating hate crimes and seeking justice for the victims.

Acting Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson of the FBI San Antonio Field Office expressed dedication to investigating hate crimes, emphasizing the devastating impact on communities, especially when places of worship become targets.

According to court documents, Sechriest scouted the synagogue three days before the arson, and on the night of the incident, surveillance footage captured him approaching the sanctuary with a five-gallon container and toilet paper. The subsequent fire prompted a quick response from the Austin Fire Department, preventing further damage.

Sechriest's journal entries confirmed his involvement, stating, "I set a synagogue on fire," and revealed that he actively monitored media reports in the days following the attack to track the progress of the investigation.

The FBI San Antonio Field Office and Austin Fire Department conducted the investigation into the case.