Federal grand jury indicts San Marcos teen in Austin synagogue fire

A San Marcos teen was indicted on three federal charges by a grand jury in connection with an Austin synagogue fire. 

Franklin Barrett Sechriest, 19, was indicted on an arson charge, hate crime - damage to religious property charge and a charge of use of fire to commit a federal felony. 

Sechriest, who attended Texas State University, was indicted for allegedly setting a fire at Congregation Beth Israel, 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd. in Austin, on Oct. 31, 2021.