Brian Toriano Crimiel Indicted on Charges of Defacing Places of Worship

LAFAYETTE, LA—First Assistant United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Brian Toriano Crimiel, 34, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for defacing two churches located in Lafayette. Crimiel was also charged for making a false statement.

Crimiel is charged in a three-count indictment with two counts of damage to religious property and one count of making a false statement to the FBI. On February 13, 2011 and February 26, 2011, the St. James Baptist Church, 1001 Plum Street, Lafayette, La., and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 818 12th Street, Lafayette, La., respectively, was defaced with spray painted racial slurs and notes strewn about with hate-filled language.

If convicted on count one, Crimiel faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00 for the damage to the property of St. James Baptist Church, and up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.00 on count two for the damage to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. If convicted on count three, for making a false statement, Crimiel could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00. Count one carries a higher penalty because of the threatened use of fire and the accelerant detected at the scene.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lafayette Resident Agency and the Lafayette Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James T. McManus.