Violent — Jackson, MS — reported 2026-07-15
SUMMARY
A federal judge has delayed the trial for Stephen Spencer Pittman, who is accused of setting fire to Beth Israel Congregation synagogue in January.
KEY FACTS
- Incident type: Violent
- Location: Jackson, MS
- Date reported: 2026-07-15
- Suspect: male, age 19
REPORTED DETAILS
- Stephen Spencer Pittman is accused of setting fire to Beth Israel Congregation synagogue in Jackson.
- Pittman faces federal charges of arson, damaging religious property, and using fire to commit a felony.
- If convicted, Pittman could face up to 50 years in prison and up to $750,000 in fines.
- Pittman allegedly broke into the synagogue around 3 a.m. on January 10 and used gasoline to ignite portions of the building.
- Security camera footage showed a masked and hooded person, now alleged to be Pittman, using an axe to break a window, pouring gasoline inside the building and utilizing a torch lighter to start the fire.