AUSTIN, Texas — The man who admitted to setting fire to an Austin synagogue two years ago has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The fire on Halloween 2021 caused more than a million dollars in damage to Congregation Beth Israel in northwest Austin.
Franklin Sechriest, 19, of San Marcos, faced up to 20 years in prison but was sentenced to 10 years plus three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $470,000 in restitution.
Earlier this year, Sechriest pleaded guilty to federal charges. He was convicted of a hate crime of damage to religious property and an arson charge.
Court documents and Sechriest's confession during his plea hearing revealed he went to the synagogue three days before the fire to scout out a target. He also admitted to targeting the religious building because of his hatred of the Jewish community.
Additionally, investigators also found journals and stickers depicting anti-Semitic messages and views. Sechriest was also seen on surveillance video the night of the fire with a 5-gallon container and toilet paper.
His journals also revealed he was checking media reports to track the progress of the arson investigation days after the fire.
Sechriest waived his right to an appeal.
"This defendant is being held accountable for this depraved, anti-Semitic attack on Congregation Beth Israel, a community with a rich history and heritage that dates back to 1876," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke with the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. "This hate-filled act of violence against a house of worship was an attempt to sow fear in the Jewish community and was intended to intimidate its congregants. Attacks targeting Jewish people and arsons aimed at desecrating synagogues have no place in our society today, and the Justice Department will continue to aggressively prosecute anti-Semitic violence."