TEXAS
A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Marq Vincent Perez, 25, for allegedly burning the Victoria Islamic Center on Jan. 28, according to officials.
Perez was previously indicted for possession of an unregistered destructive device for an incident that occurred on Jan. 15.
The superseding indictment returned today now charges him with a hate crime – damage to a religious property as well as the use of a fire to commit a federal felony in relation to the arson at the mosque, officials said.
Perez was initially arrested and charged March 3, in connection with an attempt to blow up a car with a destructive device.
At a detention hearing held the following week, the court heard evidence linking Perez to a Jan. 22 burglary of the Victoria Islamic Center as well as a Jan.28 burglary and arson of the same mosque.
Perez is in custody pending further criminal proceedings, according to authorities.
If convicted of the crimes, Perez faces up to 40 years in federal prison.
Perez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
*ATF and FBI conducted the investigation along with the City of Victoria Fire Marshal’s Office, Victoria Fire Department, Victoria Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations Division and Texas Rangers with the assistance of Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office and sheriff’s offices in Victoria and Nueces Counties.