Firebomber Jailed For Attacking Queens Mosque And Hindu Temple

QUEENS, NY – A firebomber who went on a Molotov cocktail-tossing rampage that targeted a mosque and a Hindu temple in Queens has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Ray Lazier Lengend, 46, told investigators he hated Arabs, Muslims and Middle Easterners and intended to “take out as many Arabs as possible" during the Jan. 1, 2012, attacks. Nobody was hurt during the bombings.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of hate crimes in Brooklyn Federal Court.

“Lengend’s firebombing of houses of worship out of hatred of certain religions and races is the antithesis of what this country is all about,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.

“Such hate-filled crimes, through which he spread fear and endangered the lives of first responders and others, will never be tolerated by the Justice Department or the American people."

“In 2012, Lengend, motivated by hate, fire-bombed five buildings in Queens with the intent to kill or maim innocent people simply because of their religion or national origins,” said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney.

“Today, he learned the consequences of his despicable actions. His sentence should serve as a reminder the FBI will never waver in its commitment to protecting and preserving the rights of all Americans, including the free exercise of one’s chosen religion.”

His spree included attacks on the Imam Al-Khoei Islamic Center on the Van Wyck Expressway in Jamaica and a 170th St. home that doubles as a Hindu place of worship.

Lengend was already serving a 20 year sentence after being convicted in State Supreme Court of attempted arson as a hate crime. The sentences will run concurrently.

Lead photo via Patch.