Man 'Referred To Hitler' During Synagogue Graffiti Arrest: Feds

CARMEL, IN — Federal authorities arrested a 20-year-old Cloverdale man accused in the ant-Semitic vandalism done to a Carmel synagogue last month. WXIN reported Nolan Brewer faces a federal civil rights charge in connection with the July 28 case, in which graffiti was spray-painted on a garbage shed at Congregation Shaarey Tefilla, in the 3000 block of West 116th Street.

Patch reported last month the local place of worship was vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti, including a swastika and an iron cross, which both became known as Nazi symbols during the 1930s. The vandalism drew a response from local leaders, organizations near and far, as well as Vice President Mike Pence, the former governor of Indiana.

RELATED: Nazi Graffiti Prompts Outpouring Of Support For Indiana Synagogue

The news report said Brewer admitted to federal officials he chose the synagogue because it was full of ethnic jews and in efforts to send a message to Jewish people to "back down or something like that," and referred to Adolf Hitler during his arrest, according to investigators.

Outrageous: an Indiana synagogue was vandalized with Nazi graffiti. We stand in solidarity with Congregation Shaarey Tefilla and the Jewish community of Carmel, Indiana. pic.twitter.com/WvIc516slp
— AJC (@AJCGlobal) July 29, 2018

U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler said members of the public sent tips that led them to Brewer, who faces 10 years in federal prison if convicted on the charge he faces, WXIN said. According to officials, they're also investigating a co-conspirator in the case.

The Congregation Shaarey Tefilla released a statement last month after the incident, saying they're "comforted by the outpouring of community and interfaith support being shown to the Jewish community of Carmel and Indianapolis."

Image via Shutterstock