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Franklin Barrett Sechriest is facing a federal charge. (Austin Fire Department)
An 18-year-old Texas State University student is now facing a federal arson charge following his arrest for setting fire to Congregation Beth Israel. Court documents revealed Monday show the teenager's inner thoughts before and after the fire.
According to the federal criminal complaint affidavit, Franklin Barrett Sechriest used an accelerant to intentionally start the fire. Sechriest, a criminal justice major and member of the 6th Brigade of the Texas National Guard, was already facing an arson charge in state court for the same case, according to the affidavit.
The Austin Fire Department responded to calls of a "small exterior fire" outside the synagogue around 9 p.m. on Halloween night. Surveillance footage from the evening picked up a man, who is presumed to be Sechriest, carrying a "jerry can" and driving a 2017 Jeep Compass. The fire caused an estimated $25,000 worth of damage.
A motion for detention has also been filed for Sechriest to be held without bond.
AFD on scene of a small exterior fire at Congregation Beth Israel 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd. fire is out. No injuries. Arson investigators responding to assist with cause determination. pic.twitter.com/hgMvJNAk5o
— Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) November 1, 2021
According to U.S. District Court records, Sechriest kept a handwritten journal that contained anti-Semitic and racist entries. Among his laundry list of things to do, including "meditate," "get matched on Tinder," and "work on novel," were alarming entries– including "scare off kids with alien mark," racial slurs and "tell mom about [REDACTED]."
On Oct. 28, Sechriest wrote "scout out a target" and police say surveillance footage picked up his vehicle that night. On Oct. 31, the journal read, "I set a synagogue on fire," and "get worried when it mentions they are 'hopeful' a suspect will be caught."
While executing a search warrant, the affidavit said investigators found an American Express card linked to Sechriest with a statement showing the purchase of a green five-gallon fuel jug on Sept. 6. Authorities also found three 33-ounce glass bottles, three 32-ounce bottles of lighter fluid, a lighter and stormproof matches in his car.
Agent Thomas P. Joy said those things are commonly used to make Molotov cocktails.
Investigators also found three stickers in Sechriest's vehicle, including one with a swastika motif, one that said "They hate your ancestors. They hate your culture. They hate your nation. They hate your religion. It is okay to hate them back," and one that said, "no invader is innocent."
Sechriest was released on bond on Nov. 11 and was taken back into custody the following day, according to Travis County Jail records.
Congregation Beth Israel Senior Rabbi Steve Folberg said in a statement: "We denounce all acts of bigotry and violence, especially those motivated by blind hatred of any of the proud and distinctive communities that enrich our civic life. We will remain strong and vigilant in the ongoing work of justice, safety and peace for ourselves and all our neighbors."
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Franklin Barrett Sechriest, 18, has been arrested in connection with the fire. (Austin Fire Department)
Austin Fire Department arson investigators have arrested an 18-year-old who they believe is connected to a fire at Congregation Beth Israel on Halloween night, causing an estimated $25,000 in damage.
Franklin Barrett Sechriest, of San Marcos, has been accused of intentionally setting fire to the synagogue, a first-degree felony, destroying its solid wooden doors. Sechriest was arrested on Wednesday and is being held on a $100,000 bond, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KVUE.
AFD responded to a "small exterior fire" on 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd. around 9 p.m. on Oct. 31—the fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported. Surveillance footage picked up a white man, who is presumed to be Sechriest, wearing green pants, a face covering and carrying a "jerry can" container.
Broken glass indicated that something may have been thrown at the building and investigators said an accelerant was used to spread the fire.
AFD on scene of a small exterior fire at Congregation Beth Israel 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd. fire is out. No injuries. Arson investigators responding to assist with cause determination. pic.twitter.com/hgMvJNAk5o
— Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) November 1, 2021
The suspect was driving a 2017 Jeep Compass—investigators said the Jeep was registered to a woman in San Marcos and that Sechriest lived at the same address as the woman. According to the affidavit, surveillance footage at the synagogue showed a vehicle matching the same description driving through the parking lot on Oct. 28 around 8 p.m.
The crime comes after a string of anti-Semitic events in Austin including the hanging hateful banners. Anderson High School students also found anti-Semitic slurs and symbols painted in the parking lot. It is currently unknown if the events are connected.
Congregation Beth Israel Senior Rabbi Steve Folberg responded to the arrest in a statement:
"We are grateful to the authorities including the Austin Fire Department, Austin Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their diligent and persistent work investigating this hateful, anti-Semitic act.
"It gives us some sense of relief to learn of this arrest, but we are staying vigilant. Across Central Texas and beyond, we are seeing a spike in attacks against Jews. We denounce all acts of bigotry and violence, especially those motivated by blind hatred of any of the proud and distinctive communities that enrich our civic life. We will remain strong and vigilant in the ongoing work of justice, safety and peace for ourselves and all our neighbors.
"We are also grateful to our friends at Shalom Austin and ADL Austin and for the support we have received from our Austin community and from around the world over the last 10 days. Those who wish to donate to help support our congregation after this hateful act may do so on our website."
The synagogue's congregation was formed in the late 1870s and moved into that building in 1956. It has since been added onto and remodeled but the bones remain the same.
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The synagogue will be closed until damage can be repaired. (Congregation Beth Israel)
The Austin Fire Department is asking for the public's help in locating the suspect in connection to a potential arson case that started on Halloween night at a synagogue.
AFD said investigators and fire crews responded to a passerby's call about a "small exterior fire" at Congregation Beth Israel, 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd., around 9 p.m. on Oct. 31. The fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported.
According to surveillance footage obtained by AFD, a dark SUV, possibly a 2017 Jeep Compass, drove into the synagogue's parking lot. The man inside was described as a slender, white male with brown hair and a face covering. The man wore green pants, shoes, a black T-shirt and a face covering.
(AFD/Twitter)
(AFD/Twitter)
The man approached the front doors of the synagogue while carrying an olive green "jerry can" that was used to carry a flammable liquid. There was also broken glass nearby the scene, which AFD said may mean something was thrown at the building.
Congregation leaders sent out an email to detail the damage, which was estimated to be around $25,000, including the synagogue's wooden doors, smoke damage in the sanctuary space and ceiling tile replacement. They said it will take longer than initially expected to reopen.
AFD on scene of a small exterior fire at Congregation Beth Israel 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd. fire is out. No injuries. Arson investigators responding to assist with cause determination. pic.twitter.com/hgMvJNAk5o
— Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) November 1, 2021
The synagogue's congregation was formed in the late 1870s and moved into that building in 1956. It has since been added onto and remodeled but the bones remain the same.
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court and Austin City Council approved separate resolutions condemning antisemitic acts and statements.
Council Member Alison Alter said she and her family attend Congregation Beth Israel and have been alarmed by the increasing hate speech in Austin. For that reason, Alter said she is sponsoring resolution #64 to improve response to acts of racism, hate and antisemitism.
"Fortunately, no one was hurt, and the fire department responded in a matter of minutes, mitigating the structural damage," Alter said. "It is critical that as a city we join in a united front against hate and make clear that these acts do not represent our community values."
The fire comes on the heels of multiple antisemitic events in Austin—antisemitic banners were hung over local overpasses and high school students parking spots were vandalized with antisemitic graffiti.
It is unknown whether or not any of the recent incidents are connected.
If you have any information about the arson case, contact the AFD investigations office at its 24/7 phone number: (512) 974-0240.
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