Nolan Brewer, Conspiracy to Violate Civil Rights, Indiana 2018

INIDANAPOLIS — Nolan Brewer, 21, of Eminence, Indiana, was sentenced to three years in federal prison yesterday for orchestrating a premeditated, hate-fueled attack on Congregation Shaarey Tefilla, a Jewish synagogue in Carmel, Indiana. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt handed down the sentence after Brewer pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the civil rights of worshippers, a federal hate crime rooted in anti-Semitic ideology.

The attack, carried out in the early hours of July 28, 2018, was no impulsive act. Over five hours of court testimony revealed Brewer and his then-minor wife traveled more than 50 miles from their home with a backpack loaded with explosives, accelerants, and Nazi propaganda materials. Surveillance footage from a Walmart showed the couple purchasing red and black spray paint, Drano, aluminum foil, Gatorade bottles, rubber gloves, Styrofoam plates, and gasoline — all components of their planned assault on the house of worship.

Using the supplies, they painted two large Nazi flags and iron crosses on the synagogue’s property. They also constructed crude ‘Drano bombs’ — overpressure devices made by mixing Drano and aluminum foil inside sealed plastic bottles. They additionally mixed gasoline and Styrofoam to create a napalm-like incendiary, which they intended to ignite after breaking into the building. Spark plug casings were brought along to shatter windows and gain entry.

Brewer admitted in an FBI interview that the synagogue was targeted because it was ‘full of ethnic Jews.’ Prosecutors emphasized that the attack was ideologically driven, citing Brewer’s open allegiance to Nazi beliefs. Testimony at the hearing revealed he had discussed the plan with associates beforehand, confirming this was a calculated act of terror, not a juvenile stunt.

‘Our nation was founded on the right of all people to practice their faith free of threats and violence,’ said U.S. Attorney Josh J. Minkler. ‘This case sends a clear message: we will not tolerate those who terrorize others for their religious beliefs.’ The FBI and Carmel Police Department led the investigation, underscoring the growing federal response to rising hate crimes against religious institutions.

‘Crimes such as this — fueled by hatred towards individuals based simply on their faith — will not be tolerated,’ said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. Brewer will serve his three-year sentence in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The case remains a chilling reminder of the violent reach of domestic extremism.

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