UPDATE: Mother Says Son Arrested in Synagogue Vandalism Regrets Actions

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A teenager has reportedly confessed to last week’s vandalism at Shaare Torah Synagogue in Kentlands that included swastikas and racial epithets, and more arrests are expected, police say.

Montgomery County Police and detectives from the Gaithersburg Police Department have arrested and charged Sebastian Espinoza-Carranza, 18, of the 16700 block of Sioux Lane in Gaithersburg, with the April 7 vandalism. More teenage suspects are being sought in the case, authorities say.

Espinoza-Carranza reportedly told police he defaced the building because he disliked the Jewish people who attended the congregation, WTOP says.

Police described the act as a hate crime and Gaithersburg’s mayor says it was despicable.

A resident flagged down a passing police officer April 7 to report the vandalism. Suspects used white paint to deface the building with swastikas, the initials KKK and other hate-based graffiti on the walls, windows and doors of the synagogue, police say.

“When such a despicable crime occurs, it impacts the entire community irrespective of religion, race or ethnicity,” said Chief Mark Sroka of the Gaithersburg Police Department. “As such, detectives worked tirelessly to bring this case to a successful resolution and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.”

Images of two suspects were captured on the synagogue’s surveillance system, and detectives found other video footage from a nearby business that showed a group of males in their late teens. One of the group membes appeared to be one of the suspects seen on the synagogue surveillance video. Police questioned several of the teens in the video, including Espinosa-Carranza, who reportedly confessed on Tuesday.

Espinosa-Carranza was charged with property damage to a religious institution, defacement of a religious property, and malicious destruction of property over $1,000. He has been released on bond.

Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman earlier condemned the act as despicable, and one that the community will not tolerate.

“The City of Gaithersburg stands by the congregation of Shaare Torah, and in so doing we stand for tolerance, understanding and dignity, principles that are at the very core of our community,” the mayor said in a statement.

Gaithersburg City Council Vice President Ryan Spiegel, a member of the Shaare Torah congregation, said he was heartbroken by the vandalism in a community that is known for respecting and celebrating its diversity.

“The terrible acts of a few will not deter or weaken the resolve of the vast majority of our residents to continue celebrating and respecting our diversity and multiculturalism as great strengths,” Spiegel said in a statement. “Indeed, if anything, this incident will make us even stronger as we come together as a City to confront hate and diminish it through education and friendship.”

»Photo of Shaare Torah courtesy of Montgomery Community Media; photo of Sebastian Espinoza-Carranza from Montgomery County Police