Franklin Barrett Sechriest, 18. Photo courtesy of the Austin Fire Department.

Texas State student charged with Civil Rights Violations for setting fire to Austin synagogue

March 25, 2022

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Amira Van Leeuwen | Staff Reporter

AUSTIN, Texas — A federal grand jury in Austin has returned a three-count indictment charging Franklin Barrett Sechriest, San Marcos resident and student at Texas State University, with crimes for the intentional fire set at Beth Israel synagogue in Austin on Oct. 31, 2021.

Beth Israel Synagogue in Austin arson damages. Photo courtesy of Beth Israel Synagogue.

Sechriest was arrested on Nov. 10, 2021, facing state and federal arson charges related to the fire that Federal authorities said caused more than $250,000 worth of damage to the synagogue.

The indictment charges Sechriest with one count of Damage to Religious Property; one count of Use of Fire to Commit a Federal Crime; and one count of Arson.

Law enforcement personnel observed Sechriest driving a Jeep Cherokee and matching his physical description from Beth Israel surveillance cameras on Nov. 8.

Throughout their investigation, FBI agents identified Sechriest as a possible suspect and searched his residence.

According to an arrest affidavit, surveillance footage showed a dark-colored Jeep, later identified as a 2021 black Jeep Cherokee belonging to Sechriest’s mother, enter the north parking lot. The driver walked up to the Beth Israel front admin entrance carrying a green container, similar in size, shape and color to a green 5-gallon VP Racing Fuel utility.

According to a press release, while executing a search warrant, FBI agents found items similar to those seen on the surveillance footage, including similar clothing and a receipt for a five-gallon container matching the one seen on video.

Photo credited to the United States District Courts

Agents also reportedly discovered journals that contained statements related to the synagogue fire. According to unsealed federal documents, the San Marcos teenager wrote “Scout out a target” in a journal three days before setting the fire.

Several days later, Sechriest wrote, “I set a synagogue on fire,” the court documents said.

Sechriest has remained in federal custody since November 12, 2021.

Although an indictment only alleges the crimes that have been committed, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, Sechriest faces a maximum of 60 years of imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or twice the loss suffered by the victim and restitution for the number of damages caused.

The FBI and Austin fire department is investigating the case.