Church Vandalism Sentence - Acadiana's Multi-Media News Station

Church Vandalism Sentence

A Lafayette man has been sentenced to five years in prison for spray-painting racial slurs on two churches and lying to a federal agent.  U.S. District Judge Richard Haik also on Wednesday ordered 35-year-old Brian Toriano Crimiel to pay a total of nearly $4,000 in restitution to the St. James Baptist Church and to the insurance company of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.  A three-count indictment accused Crimiel of defacing the two Lafayette churches in February 2011. Crimiel allegedly tried to frame his ex-girlfriend for the damage.  Prosecutors said notes with "hate-filled language" also were strewn about the churches.  Crimiel pleaded guilty in October.