FRESNO – Andrew Kerber, 22, of Chico pleaded guilty Monday in a Fresno court to violating the civil rights of congregants of Congregation Beth Shalom, a synagogue in Modesto.

Kerber faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Sentencing is April 8. The Justice Department announced the plea Monday. Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights, said the “department will continue to aggressively prosecute those who seek to violate the rights of their fellow Americans to worship freely.”

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California, Benjamin B. Wagner said the “country was founded by people who sought to practice their religion without being harassed, threatened, or intimidated. It is our obligation to ensure that all Americans can be secure in the exercise of their First Amendment rights.”

According to court documents, on or about Feb. 2, 2006, Kerber and two other men, Abel Mark Gonzalez, 23, of Morgan Hill, Calif., and Brian Lewis, 23, of Modesto, defaced and damaged the synagogue.

Kerber admitted that the men spray-painted anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi graffiti on the synagogue’s exterior walls. Kerber further admitted that the men spray-painted anti-Christian graffiti on the exterior walls of, and caused other damage to, Our Lady of Fatima Church and School and the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, both located in Modesto. Lewis and Gonzalez pleaded guilty for their role in the offense on Jan. 14.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.