INDReporter

Sentencing set in church vandalism case

by Walter Pierce

Brian Toriano Crimiel of Lafayette pleaded guilty to defacing two churches with predominantly black congregations in February 2011 in an attempt to frame his ex-girlfriend, who is white.

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A sentencing date has been set for a black man who pleaded guilty to defacing two churches with predominantly black congregations in February 2011 in an attempt to frame his ex-girlfriend, who is white.

Brian Toriano Crimiel of Lafayette is scheduled for sentencing Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Richard Haik.

Crimiel, who is black, admitted he wrote racial slurs on St. James Baptist Church and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

Crimiel pleaded guilty to one count of damage to religious property and one count of making a false statement.

Crimiel faces not more than one year on the damage to religious property count and up to five years on the false statement count.