A 21-year-old man was sentenced on Monday to three years in prison for vandalizing a synagogue last year in Carmel, Ind.
Nolan Brewer pleaded guilty to the federal hate crime for spray-painting a large Nazi flag and Nazi iron crosses outside Congregation Shaarey Tefilla in July 2018. The vandalism, which Brewer’s wife helped him with, was discovered on Saturday morning.
Shabbat services at the conservative synagogue went on as planned.
Brewer was also ordered to repay $700 to the synagogue for the damage.
The incident sparked condemnation from public officials, including U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who previously served as the state’s governor.
“Sickened and appalled by the cowardly act of vandalism at Congregation Shaarey Tefilla; a beautiful synagogue in Carmel, Indiana, where I have many good friends,” he posted on Twitter. “Those responsible must be held accountable. These vile acts of anti-Semitism must end.”
Sickened and appalled by the cowardly act of vandalism at Congregation Shaarey Tefilla; a beautiful synagogue in Carmel, Indiana where I have many good friends. Those responsible must be held accountable. These vile acts of anti-Semitism must end. https://t.co/0h6rKPilda — Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) July 29, 2018
“The vandalism at Congregation Shaarey Tefilla goes well beyond a petty crime. It was a hateful act of anti-Semitism that goes against everything America stands for,” said Republican Sen. Todd Young.
Then-Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly said that “there is no place for anti-Semitism, bigotry or hatred in our communities, state and country.”
I condemn the vandalism at Congregation Shaarey Tefilla. There is no place for anti-Semitism, bigotry, or hatred in our communities, state, and country. – Joe https://t.co/P6Nw1ADcGI — Archive: Senator Joe Donnelly (@SenDonnelly) July 29, 2018
“I am appalled by the despicable and hateful act of anti-Semitism perpetrated ... against Congregation Shaarey Tefilla in Carmel,” Republican Rep. Susan Brooks said in a statement.
“I urge all citizens of Carmel, Hamilton County and throughout the state to join me in speaking out against this awful act of intolerance and bigotry,” she continued. “Actions like this have no place in our community, and I hope the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.”
