An Arizona man is facing a federal hate-crime charge after prosecutors said he set fire to a Casa Grande synagogue earlier this year.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced that 31-year-old Everardo Gregorio has been indicted on a charge of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by fire. The offense carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Prosecutors say the fire, set on March 3, damaged a section of the Khal Chasidim synagogue that housed its worship area along with an attached kosher grocery and restaurant that served the local Jewish community.
Gregorio is also facing a separate arson charge filed by the Pinal County Attorney’s Office, with that case awaiting trial. Federal officials have not released additional details as the investigation continues.
