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A New Jersey man has been arrested and charged with planning the recent defacing of Temple Jacob in Hancock.
Nazi symbols, including a swastika and what appeared to be a crudely drawn Schutzstaffel SS logo were spraypainted onto the historic building September 21st.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that 18-year-old Richard Tobin allegedly used a neo-Nazi social media network to set up the attack in Hancock, and a similar attack on a synagogue in Racine, Wisconsin, the following day.
Because the investigation is ongoing, FBI officials have not revealed whom they think actually carried out the attacks, or how they connected the incidents to Tobin.
Officials did tell the Inquirer that Tobin has admitted to his role in organizing the attacks, and that he was planning additional actions against Jews and blacks. Investigators also say incriminating documents were found on his computer.
Tobin appeared at a hearing in federal court in New Jersey Friday. Judge Karen Williams ordered that he be jailed until a mental health exam could be completed, after which she will consider a bail request.
