Man accused of setting fire to Mississippi synagogue pleads not guilty

A 19-year-old accused of setting fire to a historic Mississippi synagogue pleaded not guilty to arson charges on Tuesday.

Stephen Spencer Pittman was accused of setting fire to the Beth Israel Congregation around 3 a.m. on Jan. 10, badly damaging the structure but leaving no casualties. Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac denied the suspect bond and requested that the U.S. Marshals Service hold him in its detention for the duration of the trial. She agreed with prosecutor Matthew Wade Allen, who argued there was a serious risk Pittman could threaten, harm, or intimidate jurors or witnesses, including his parents and members of the Beth Israel Congregation.

If convicted, Pittman faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison for the federal