LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL) -- The Lafayette man indicted for defacing two African American churches has been sentenced by a federal judge.

35-year-old Brian Crimiel was sentenced by Judge Richard Haik Wednesday to one year in prison for defacing a church and an additional five years for lying to the FBI. Both sentences will be served concurrently.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley said Crimiel painted racial slurs on the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Feb. 26, 2011 in an attempt to frame his ex-girlfriend, who is white. Crimiel left several pieces of evidence at the scene that would lead investigators to her, Finley said.

As part of a plea agreement, Crimiel also admitted to defacing St. James Baptist Church in a similar manner, Finley said.

He also admitted that he lied to an FBI investigator when he denied using his cell phone on the morning of Feb. 13, 2011, the day he vandalized St. James. Finley said Crimiel called 911 anonymously to report that he saw two women and a man on the church property.

 

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