A Mississippi man has been arrested following allegations of arson targeting the Beth Israel Congregation and the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life building. The arrest was announced on Saturday evening by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger for the Southern District of Mississippi, and Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff from the FBI's Jackson Field Office.
Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the act as a "disgusting act of anti-Semitic violence," emphasizing that such actions have no place in the United States. “Unlike previous administrations, this Department of Justice will not allow anti-Semitism to fester and flourish,” she stated. Bondi has instructed her prosecutors to pursue severe penalties for this heinous act, reaffirming her commitment to protecting Jewish Americans from hatred.
FBI Director Kash Patel echoed these sentiments, stating, “Every American has a fundamental right to live and worship free from violence and fear.” He affirmed that the FBI is dedicated to protecting Jewish communities from targeted attacks and will hold accountable those who engage in such violent acts.
U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger described the attack on the Beth Israel Congregation as "hateful" and "unacceptable." He reassured the community that his office will not stand by when violence and intimidation threaten Mississippi residents. “We will seek the most serious charges warranted by the evidence and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law,” he added, emphasizing his office’s commitment to protecting Jewish Americans.
Special Agent Robert A. Eikhoff remarked, “Houses of worship are sacred. Citizens of Mississippi of all faiths and backgrounds have the right to worship free of violence and intimidation.” He noted that while Stephen Spencer Pittman acted alone, the FBI Jackson Field Office will continue collaborating with federal, state, and local partners to hold accountable those who infringe on the rights of Americans.
According to court documents, 19-year-old Stephen Spencer Pittman from Madison, Mississippi, allegedly used gasoline to start a fire at the religious building in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 10, 2026. The fire caused extensive damage, rendering the building inoperable for an indefinite period. CCTV footage captured a hooded individual inside the building pouring gasoline before igniting the fire.
As a consequence of his actions, Pittman sustained burns to parts of his body. The Beth Israel Congregation, founded in 1860, has a long history, including an incident in 1967 when the temple was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan. The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute serves Jewish communities across 14 states and provides religious school programs and traveling rabbinical services.
Pittman appeared in court to face charges outlined in a criminal complaint accusing him of violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(i), which prohibits the arson of property used in interstate commerce. If convicted, he faces a minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the final sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The investigation involves multiple agencies, including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Jackson Police Department, and the Jackson Fire Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen is leading the prosecution of this case, which is part of Operation Take Back America. This nationwide initiative aims to repel illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.