WASHINGTON (JTA) — Police arrested a man associated with hate groups throughout the United States and charged him with vandalizing a Maryland synagogue.
Ian Jacob Baron, 22, was charged with the malicious destruction of B’nai Shalom of Olney, located about 20 miles outside Washington, D.C.
Anti-Semitic phrases, including “death 2 Zionists" and "work will set u free," were discovered July 26 spray-painted on the synagogue’s walls, parking lot and light posts. The latter phrase was written on a sign over the front gate of the Auschwitz death camp.
Loose change also was scattered near the front door as an insult.
Dan Friz, a public information officer for the Montgomery County Police, said Baron supports hate groups throughout the country, the Washington Jewish Week reported. Friz said Baron had made admissions regarding the case.
Baron was charged with malicious destruction of property over $500, two counts of malicious destruction of property under $500, one count of race/religious property damage and one count of defacing religious property.
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