(JTA) — A Utah man pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights crime for firing a gun at a Salt Lake City synagogue in 2012.
Macon Openshaw, 21, of Salt Lake City, pleaded guilty on April 16 in U.S. District Court for the District of Utah to firing three rounds from a handgun at Congregation Kol Ami, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice. The shots broke windows and damaged the window casings.
Openshaw admitted to firing at the synagogue because of its Jewish character.
As part of a plea bargain, he could be sentenced to up to five years in prison. He also agreed to pay to repair the damage.
Openshaw is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15.
“Religiously-motivated violence tears at the fabric of our diverse society,” said acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
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