Houghton man sentenced for defacing Jewish synagogue with neo-Nazi symbols | News Radio WOOD 1300 and 106.9 FM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The U.S. Attorney in Grand Rapids said a member of a white supremacist group was sentenced to 2 years and 2 months in prison for defacing a Jewish synagogue in the Upper Peninsula.

Federal prosecutor Mark Totten said the conviction of Nathan Weeden, 23, of Houghton, sends “a strong message that hatred will not be tolerated.”

Investigators say swastikas and other anti-Semitic symbols were sprayed outside Temple Jacob in Hancock.

Here are more details from the U.S. Attorney's press release:

In January, Weeden was convicted at trial of one count of conspiracy to injure, oppress, threaten or intimidate any person in the exercise of their rights and one count of defacement, intentional damage or destruction of religious property because of the person's race or ethnic characteristics. people associated with this property. Weeden's co-conspirators, Richard Tobin (see here And here) and Yousef Barasneh (see here And here) had previously been convicted of federal crimes in this incident.

In September 2019, Weeden, Tobin, and Barasneh – all members of The Base, a multi-state white supremacist organization – used an encrypted messaging platform to discuss vandalism of property associated with African Americans and Jewish Americans. Weeden and his co-conspirators dubbed their plan “Operation Kristallnacht,” which is German for “Night of Broken Glass.” This term referred to the events that took place on November 9 and 10, 1938, during which the Nazis murdered Jews and burned and destroyed their homes, synagogues, schools and places of business. Weeden carried out this plan on September 21, 2019, when he spray-painted swastikas and symbols associated with the Base on the exterior walls of Temple Jacob.

“This sentence sends a strong message that threatening and intimidating people because of their religion, race or ethnicity will not be tolerated in this country,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. “Violence fueled by white supremacy is a stain on our history and perpetrators of such violence will be held accountable. No one should live in fear because of who they are, what they believe, or where they worship. The Department of Justice will continue to investigate and prosecute those who desecrate places of worship and who conspire to intimidate people seeking to exercise the legal rights guaranteed to all Americans.

In its sentencing memorandum, attached to this press release, the government urged the Court to sentence Weeden to at least 36 months of imprisonment, taking into account the nature and extent of his hate crimes, his continued devotion to violent neo-Nazi ideology, from his earlier illegal conversion. from a rifle to a fully automatic weapon, his lack of remorse, the danger he poses to the community and the need for deterrence.

“Intimidation, vandalism and other hateful acts should never be used to threaten any group of people in this state or this nation, and today's sentence reflects that belief,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI remains committed to fighting hate crimes and achieving justice for all. If you are a victim or witness of a hate crime, call 1-800-225-5324 or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

“Responsibility matters. Today's sentence is representative of our community's perspective on the violence inspired by hate crimes. People who engage in this behavior will be identified and fully prosecuted under the law,” said Special Agent in Charge James Deir of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Detroit Field Office. “ATF is steadfast in its commitment to protecting everyone in this great state from violent criminals fueled by hatred and intolerance. »

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler and Prosecutor Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section. The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hancock Police Department.

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