An Alabama man was sentenced to one year and one day in prison on federal charges stemming from the vandalism of a synagogue that included threatening graffiti and neo-Nazi markings, officials said Friday.
The Justice Department said Thomas Hayward Lewis was sentenced to prison followed by three years' probation for violating the civil rights of congregants of the Congregation Tree of Life Messianic Synagogue, as well as possession of an unregistered firearm.
Lewis, 24, of Mobile, Alabama, pleaded guilty last year to violating one count of the Church Arson Act.
Lewis admitted in court that on the night of January 3-4, 2009, he and an accomplice, Christian Rodney Ice, spray painted the synagogue with anti-Semitic graffiti and neo-Nazi markings. Lewis also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm.
Ice, who pleaded guilty to related charges, is currently serving a two-year probation sentence.
"Threats against religious institutions and their members have no place in this country and will not be tolerated," said Thomas Perez, assistant attorney general for civil rights.
"This case should send a clear message to others who would carry outsimilar criminal acts that they will be held accountable for their actions."