A Glendale, Arizona man, Kevin Charles Pyles, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Phoenix on charges of Intentional Defacement of Religious Real Property for allegedly posting an antisemitic flyer on a synagogue's front door last year.
The indictment, returned yesterday, alleges that Pyles defaced Sha’arei Shalom Congregation in Phoenix on July 11, 2025. This incident follows Pyles' previous guilty plea in Maricopa County Superior Court for Attempted Making and Communicating a Terrorism Threat, which involved online threats against the Jewish community and the same synagogue.
U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine said, "This indictment is a message to the community – we will not tolerate the defacement or destruction of any house of worship. Members of the Arizona community should feel free to worship without the fear of harassment.” FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day added that investigating hate crimes is one of the FBI’s highest priorities.
Phoenix Police Department Chief Matt Giordano reiterated the commitment to protecting the community, stating that acts targeting or intimidating any part of the community undermine shared values. A conviction for Intentional Defacement of Religious Real Property carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. The investigation is being handled by the FBI’s Phoenix Division and the Phoenix Police Department.