A Michigan man was indicted for conspiring with others and allegedly defacing Temple Jacob – a Jewish synagogue in Hancock, Michigan, federal officials announced this week.
According to the court documents, Nathan Weeden, 23, of Houghton, and co-conspirators Richard Tobin, of New Jersey, and Yousef Barasneh, of Wisconsin, defaced Temple Jacob with swastikas and symbols associated with The Base, a multi-state, white supremacist group.
In September 2019, Weeden, Tobin, and Barasneh – all members of The Base – allegedly used an encrypted messaging platform to discuss vandalizing property associated with African Americans and Jewish Americans.
Weeden and his co-conspirators dubbed their plan “Operation Kristallnacht,” which in German means “Night of Broken Glass” and is in reference to the events that took place on Nov. 9 – 10, 1938.
In those days, Nazis murdered Jewish people and burned and destroyed their homes, synagogues, schools, and places of business.
Weeden allegedly carried out this plan on Sept. 21, 2019, when he spray-painted swastikas and symbols associated with The Base on the outside walls of Temple Jacob.
Their goal was “to injure, oppress, threaten, and intimidate non-white and Jewish citizens of the United States,” and prevent their targets from exercising their constitutional rights, according to the indictment.
Tobin told the others to “focus on broad anti-white elements,” including “jew businesses,” the indictment said.
“Smash the glass, slash the tires, leave the symbol of our revolution wherever you go, and burn whatever you please,” he said. “Strike at the vulnerable lemmings, traitors, and their jewish puppet masters.”
Weeden is charged with one count of conspiracy against rights and one count of damage to religious property. If convicted of the charges, Weeden faces up to 11 years in prison. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Weeden was arrested on June 29.
The FBI investigated the case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Hancock Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler for the Western District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.