Memphis, TN – In a brazen attack on sacred texts, Justin Shawn Baker, 25, of Jackson, TN, defaced a Torah and religious prayer books at the Doubletree Hotel in Jackson on January 12, 2013.
The students and faculty of the Margolin Hebrew Academy had gathered for a worship service when Baker allegedly committed the desecration, violating the civil rights of those present.
The federal grand jury in Memphis returned a one-count indictment charging Baker with violating the civil rights of students and faculty of the Margolin Hebrew Academy.
The indictment alleges that Baker defaced a Torah and religious prayer books, which the students and faculty were using for a worship service, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the religious freedom of others.
“Freedom to practice one’s religion without prejudice is one of the bedrock principles upon which our nation was founded,” said Edward L. Stanton III, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
“Criminal acts such as those alleged in the indictment represent an attack upon the rights that generations of Americans have fought and died to ensure and protect. Our dedicated civil rights unit will continue to protect and defend the rights of our citizens through vigorous enforcement of federal law,” Stanton added.
Baker’s actions have sparked outrage in the community, with many condemning the vandalism as an attack on religious freedom.
The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Larry Laurenzi and Jonathan Skrmetti of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Douglas Kern of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and Baker is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Justin Shawn Baker, a 25-year-old resident of Jackson, TN, is charged with violating the civil rights of students and faculty of the Margolin Hebrew Academy.
Defendant: Justin Shawn Baker
Criminal Charge: Violating Civil Rights
City and State: Jackson, Tennessee
Exact Date: January 12, 2013
Sentence or Outcome: Ongoing prosecution
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Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Civil Rights
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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