US EditionMississippi Federal Grand Jury Indicts Alleged Beth Israel Arsonist
Spencer Pittman, 19, faces federal arson charges for setting fire to a Jackson synagogue he targeted due to its Jewish ties, risking up to 20 years in prison.
- On Jan. 15, 2026, a Federal Grand Jury indicted Stephen Spencer Pittman, the Madison man, on one count of arson for burning Beth Israel Congregation synagogue, U.S. District Court records show.
- Investigators say the Madison man admitted targeting Jewish people, confessed to his father and sent texts from the scene, and allegedly called the congregation the `synagogue of Satan`.
- Court affidavits state he broke a window with an axe, poured gasoline inside, and used a torch lighter to ignite the building after stopping at Mac's Gas on U.S. Highway 51.
- Federal sentencing exposure includes up to 20 years in prison and three years supervised release, while a Hinds County Grand Jury charged the Madison man with first-degree arson and hate-crime enhancement.
- The blaze left heavy damage to Beth Israel Congregation library and office buildings, destroyed two Torahs, no congregants or firefighters were hurt, and the Madison man is due back in federal court Tuesday.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Religion News Service
Mississippi synagogue congregant shares story of 1967 Ku Klux Klan bombing
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Beverly Geiger Bonnheim was 17 when the Ku Klux Klan bombed her synagogue in 1967. This weekend, at 75, she watched it burn again. “It was horrifying and disbelieving to see it again,” Geiger Bonnheim said. “Does history change?” The historic Beth Israel Congregation, the only synagogue in Jackson, was set ablaze shortly after 3 a.m. on Saturday. The fire badly damaged the 165-year-old synagogue’s library and administrative…
Federal grand jury indicts alleged Beth Israel arsonist
Federal grand jury indicts alleged Beth Israel arsonist JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A federal grand jury says there’s enough evidence to charge a Madison man with intentionally setting a North Jackson synagogue on fire. Stephen Spencer Pittman was indicted on one count of arson for setting the Beth Israel Congregation building on fire. The indictment was made available on the U.S. District Court’s website on Wednesday. If convicted, he faces between…
Suspect indicted on federal charge in arson attack on Jackson synagogue
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - A federal grand jury indicted the suspect in an arson attack at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson. According to court documents, Stephen Pittman, 19, was indicted by a federal grand jury for arson. If convicted on the federal charge, Pittman would face between five and 20 years in prison, a $250,000 [...]
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
