Three Muslims charged with vandalizing a nondenominational church in Euless, Texas, claimed their actions were protected under the First Amendment. However, a jury disagreed, convicting one suspect, Raunaq Alam, of criminal mischief—though not of a hate crime.
Alam was among three individuals accused of defacing Uncommon Church in Tarrant County last March. Security footage captured the suspects spray-painting anti-Israel messages and placing pro-Palestinian and Hamas stickers on the church’s exterior.
Initially, District Attorney Phil Sorrells filed felony criminal mischief charges in County Criminal Court No. 5, later elevating the case to a third-degree felony hate crime punishable by two to ten years in prison. Prosecutors argued the church was targeted due to its religious affiliation, and the case was transferred to Judge Brian Bolton’s courtroom in County Criminal Court No. 9.
Conviction and Sentence
Following a mid-September trial, Alam was found guilty of criminal mischief. Judge Bolton sentenced him to five years of probation, a $10,000 fine, and $1,700 in restitution to the church. His probation terms include:
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180 days in jail
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180 hours of community service
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Drug and alcohol testing
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Wearing a GPS monitor
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Issuing a formal apology to the church
Alam now faces additional charges for perjury and drug possession. His attorney claims he is being unfairly targeted, according to KERA News.
Co-defendant Afsheen Khan also faces felony criminal mischief charges, with her trial held on September 30. A third suspect, Julia Venzor, testified against both as part of a plea deal that resulted in five years of probation, according to WFAA News.
Background and Broader Context
The church’s pastor, Brad Carignan, testified that the vandalism occurred shortly after the church displayed an Israeli flag to show support for Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
The case reflects a broader pattern of religiously motivated incidents across Texas targeting churches, synagogues, and Jewish or pro-Israel individuals.
In January 2022, a Pakistani Islamist held Jewish parishioners hostage at a Colleyville synagogue. In 2023, Hamas supporters reportedly targeted Hispanic Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Monica De La Cruz.
The U.S. Department of Education also identified three Texas public schools last year for civil rights violations related to religious discrimination against Jewish students.
State Response
As antisemitic incidents surged nationwide, pro-Palestinian rioters staged demonstrations calling for Israel’s destruction, including on Texas campuses.
In response, Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest rioters, stating that advocating for the death of Jews is not protected speech. He also urged universities to expel students and dismiss faculty who promote antisemitism.
While Muslim advocacy groups sued Abbott, alleging his directive violated First Amendment rights, the governor—drawing on his background as a former Texas Supreme Court justice and attorney general—maintains that it does not.
Meanwhile, Jewish organizations have filed lawsuits against Muslim groups, accusing them of knowingly aiding Hamas and its affiliates in terrorist activities.
Enhanced Security for Places of Worship
Ahead of the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks, Governor Abbott directed increased security measures around Texas places of worship. He and the state legislature continue to pursue initiatives aimed at combating antisemitism across schools, universities, and religious institutions statewide.
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