Man indicted in church vandalism
LAFAYETTE — A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted a 34-year-old Lafayette man accused in the defacing of two local churches in February 2011, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The grand jury also charged Brian Toriano Crimiel of making a false statement to the FBI, a U.S. Attorney’s Office news release said.
Crimiel was arrested last year for allegedly spray-painting racial slurs and leaving hate-filled notes strewn about St. James Baptist Church on Plum Street and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on 12th Street.
The incidents occurred Feb. 13 and Feb. 26, respectively.
Crimiel is black and the two churches have primarily black congregations, police said at the time of his arrest.
Crimiel initially was arrested on two counts of hate crimes, two counts of criminal damage to property with graffiti, obstruction of justice, communication of false information of planned arson, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana.
Father Thomas James, of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, has said he did not recognize Crimiel’s face or name.
He said about five statues were defaced and racial epithets were painted on the sidewalks and walls of the church. The words “Hate Crime?” were also spray-painted at the church, he said.
If convicted, Crimiel faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the damage to the St. James Baptist Church, and up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 for the damage to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, according to the release.
The first count carries stiffer penalties due to the threatened use of fire and the accelerant that was detected at the scene, the release said.
Crimiel could also face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the alleged false statement, the release said.