Authorities are investigating a fire at Beth Israel, a prominent Jackson, Mississippi, synagogue, and have identified a suspect. According to a criminal complaint submitted by the FBI, the suspect confessed to starting the fire because of the “Jewish ties.”

Arrests and Charges

The suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Stephen Spencer Pittman. Early Saturday morning, January 10, 2026, Pittman allegedly set fire to Beth Israel Congregation, which is Mississippi’s largest Jewish house of worship. He used gasoline as an accelerant and heavily damaged the structure. During his police interrogation, when he openly admitted to starting the fire, he called Beth Israel the “synagogue of Satan.”

Pittman was formally charged with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire or an explosive, and he attended his first federal court appearance virtually from a hospital bed. His hands were visibly bandaged during the call, striking instant curiosity about how he got there. Authorities identifying the culprit only “puts a face and name to this tragedy but does not change our resolve to proudly – even defiantly – continue Jewish life in Jackson in the face of hatred,” the synagogue said in a statement.

Prosecutors report that if Pittman is convicted, he could face five to 20 years in prison. When the judge read the defendant his rights in federal court, Pittman said, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” He is now in custody of the US Marshals Service and will appear back in court on January 20.

The Criminal Complaint

The complaint details the events that took place leading up to the fire, and authorities later linked Pittman’s phone through Life360 to track his movements. According to the complaint and the findings through the location-sharing app, Pittman traveled from his home in Madison County, Mississippi, to Beth Israel. Before he arrived, he stopped at a Mac’s Gas in Ridgeland, presumably to obtain the accelerant used.

Pittman’s father was the one who contacted authorities after his son confessed to starting the fire in text messages. The texts read “There’s a furnace in the back,” “BTW my plate is off,” “Hoodie is on,” and “And they have the best cameras,” along with a photo attachment of the rear side of the synagogue.

After the fire was set, Pittman’s father saw the burns on his ankles, and his son admitted to lighting Beth Israel on fire. The complaint notes that Pittman was laughing as he described his bigoted and criminal actions. According to special agent Robert A. Eikhoff, Pittman acted alone. However, it is still an active federal, state, and local investigation. “At the appropriate time, state charges will also be pursued in addition to any federal charges,” Governor Tate Reeves said Monday.

US Attorney’s Office Issues Statement

Attorney General Pam Bondi and Kash Patel made statements in the news release regarding the arsenic attack on Beth Israel. “This disgusting act of anti-Semitic violence has no place in our country,” Bondi said. “I have directed my prosecutors to seek severe penalties for this heinous act and remain deeply committed to protecting Jewish Americans from hatred.”

“Every American has a fundamental right to live and worship free from violence and fear,” said Patel. “The FBI will never waver in our mission to protect Jewish communities from targeted anti-Semitic attacks and will work to hold accountable anyone who engages in these types of violent acts.”

Arsons at Beth Israel

According to their website, Beth Israel was founded in 1986 by the congregation, and they built the first synagogue in the state of Mississippi. Since then, it has grown to be the state’s largest congregation. For the first 70 years, it went through long stretches without a full-time rabbi.

After the arrival of Meyer Lovitt in 1929, they found more stability. Lovitt served in the congregation for 25 years and was replaced in 1954 by Toronto-native Perry Nussbaum. Nussbaum was outspoken against racism and segregation, which ultimately led to their first arson attack.

On September 18, 1967, another hate-fueled fire was set at the temple. Local Ku Klux Klan (KKK) members bombed the synagogue, supposedly because the congregation and the leading rabbi were vocally and physically active in the civil rights movement.

“Acts of antisemitism, racism, and religious hatred are attacks on Jackson as a whole and will be treated as acts of terror against residents’ safety and freedom to worship,” Jackson Mayor John Horhn said in a statement. “Targeting people because of their faith, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation is morally wrong, un-American, and completely incompatible with the values of this city.”