Torah scrolls burned in synagogue arson (illustration)
Torah scrolls burned in synagogue arson (illustration)Flash 90

A 24-year old Lodi, New Jersey man was convicted of terrorism on Friday for his 2012 attacks on two synagogues and the home of a local rabbi.

Anthony Graziano, who carried out the attacks in January 2012 with an accomplice, Aakash Dalal, is the first person convicted under New Jersey’s anti-terrorism law, which was enacted after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

Dalal has yet to be tried for his involvement in the attacks.

Graziano and Dalal had previously been arrested for spray-painting anti-Semitic graffiti on several synagogues in 2011.

On January 3rd, 2012, the pair hurled firebombs at a Paramus, New Jersey synagogue. Four days later the pair planned to bomb the Jewish Community Center in Paramus, New Jersey, but were deterred by a passing police car. On January 11th, the two then struck in Rutherford, tossing Molotov cocktails into a local synagogue and the home of Rabbi Nosson Schuman.

While the jury found Graziano guilty on 20 counts, including terrorism and vandalism, they rejected charges of attempted murder and aggravated arson.

Under New Jersey’s anti-terrorism law, Graziano could face life in prison for the attacks.