A San Marcos teen who’s accused of setting an Austin synagogue on fire now faces federal charges for arson, according to a criminal complaint affidavit filed in a U.S. District Court.
Franklin Barrett Sechriest, 18, was previously charged with arson following an investigation conducted by the Austin Fire Department into a fire that occurred at Congregation Beth Israel, 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd. in Austin, on Oct. 31.
In an affidavit filed on Nov. 12, FBI Special Agent Thomas P. Loy Jr. said Sechriest used an accelerant to start the fire near the entry of the synagogue. Previously, AFD also determined that an accelerant was used. The fire was set at approximately 9 p.m. on Oct. 31. The affidavit said the synagogue suffered damage in excess of $25,000 that was capable of destroying the building.
