Three Men Burn, Deface Mosque

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Men Accused Of Setting Fire To Mosque Go To Trial

Jewish Federation of Nashville

COLUMBIA, Tenn. - The three men accused of burning down a local Islamic center appeared in court Monday.

Eric Baker, Jonathan Stone and Michael "Cory" Golden are charged with arson.

Police said they set fire to the Islamic Center of Columbia Saturday morning.

Graffiti, swastikas and phrases such as "White Power" were spray painted on the mosque's walls.

Investigators said it's possible the three could face federal charges for attacking a house of worship.

"The Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee and its Community Relations Committee condemn the destruction of the Mosque in Columbia, Tenn.," according to a statement released by the committee and federation.

"The use of white supremacist graffiti makes it evident that this was a crime of hate and religious intolerance. Such conduct in our society, against any ethnic or religious group, is reprehensible," the statement read.