MICHIGAN
A federal jury on Thursday found a man from Michigan guilty of conspiring with others to deface Temple Jacob, a Jewish synagogue in Hancock, using swastikas and other symbols linked to the multi-state white supremacist group The Base, officials stated
Nathan Weeden, 23, was found guilty on two counts: one count of purposefully destroying, damaging, or defacing religious property due to the racial or ethnic background of those connected to it, and another count of plotting to harm, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any individual exercising their right to free speech.
Weeden’s fellow conspirators, Richard Tobin of New Jersey and Yousef Barasneh of Wisconsin had previously pled guilty to federal charges related to the incident. Weeden’s trial featured testimony from Barasneh.
“People of all faiths deserve to feel safe in their communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold those accountable whose hate-filled aggression violates the civil rights of others. For law enforcement to safeguard against hate and violence, we request the public’s assistance in reporting suspicious or threatening behavior by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submitting a tip online at tips.fbi.gov/home.”
In September 2019, Weeden, Tobin and Barasneh, all members of The Base, 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.”
This term refers to events that took place on Nov. 9 and 10, 1938, in which Nazis murdered Jews and burned and destroyed their homes, synagogues, schools, and places of business.
Weeden 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.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from ATF and the 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 prosecuted the case.