Naked Intruder Charged With Hate Crime for Desecrating Sikh Temple
Sheriff’s deputies found 44-year-old suspect Jeffrey C. Pittman standing naked, holding a ceremonial sword inside the Sikh Temple of Spokane.
Following the latest incident in Spokane Valley, Pittman was booked into jail on charges of armed burglary, malicious mischief and malicious harassment based on religious discrimination – Washington’s version of a hate crime, The Spokesman-Review reported in today’s editions.
“Our hearts are broken,” said Subarna Nagra, a member of the temple, told the newspaper.
Priest Gurjeet Singh Aujla said the temple’s Guru Granth Sahib holy book — containing accumulated teachings of Sikh gurus — was defaced and pages were ripped.
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