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VICTORIA MOSQUE
A new mosque replaces the one that was burned down in a hate crime in Victoria, Texas. |
THE ARSONIST who burned down a mosque in Victoria, Texas was sentenced to more than 24 years in prison.
Marq Perez, 26, was convicted of hate crime and felony arson in July for setting fire to the Victoria Islamic Center in Texas on January 28, 2017.
"I do believe justice has been served," explained OMAR Rachid, Victoria Mosque Board Membe. "We certainly appreciate the judge giving complete consideration of the impact this crime had taken on us. And, also taken into consideration the sentencing guidelines and taken into consideration, most importantly, the constitution and the protection afforded to all Americans."
A jury found Perez guilty on July 16, for a hate crime in the burning of the Victoria Islamic Center (the mosque) on Jan. 28, 2017, and for the use of fire to commit a federal felony. In addition, the jury found that Perez possessed an unregistered destructive device for a separate but related incident that occurred on Jan. 15, 2017.
The town of Victoria, Texas was shaken last year when Perez set fire to the Victoria Islamic Centre, burning it to the ground while "jumping up and down like a little kid," according to one witness who spoke at his trial. Testimony revealed Mr Perez had conducted "recon" on the mosque in the days ahead of the fire and had a well-documented history of Islamophobic behavior on social media.
The witness testified that Perez said that he burned down the mosque, because he wanted to “send a message.”
“The Attorney General has said that the Freedom of religion is indeed our ‘first freedom’—being the first listed right of our First Amendment,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick.
“The Department of Justice prosecutes violent and dangerous crime, but also, and particularly when that crime interferes with someone’s ability to practice their religious faith. Not only was this a dangerous and potentially deadly act, but also one spurred from hate. I am glad justice was served in this case.”
“The Attorney General has said that the Freedom of religion is indeed our ‘first freedom’—being the first listed right of our First Amendment,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick.
“The Department of Justice prosecutes violent and dangerous crime, but also, and particularly when that crime interferes with someone’s ability to practice their religious faith. Not only was this a dangerous and potentially deadly act, but also one spurred from hate. I am glad justice was served in this case.”
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