Two people face federal charges after the firebombing of a New Caney Buddhist temple that left smoke damage and forced a closure.
HOUSTON — Two Montgomery County residents have been indicted in connection with the November 2023 firebombing of the Huyen Trang Buddhist Meditation Center, U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The video above is from a report in January 2024 of a reward being offered for information leading to an arrest.
Who was charged
Officials say 28-year-old Austin Willard Tanton and 31-year-old Kayla Lynn Thompson face charges of conspiracy to commit malicious use of explosive materials and using explosive materials in the commission of a felony.
Tanton is also charged with possession of an unregistered destructive device. Both are expected to make their initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho at 2 p.m.
What prosecutors allege happened
According to the indictment, Tanton allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail through a temple window on Nov. 15, 2023, starting a fire that damaged a rug and flooring inside.
Monks sleeping inside the New Caney temple woke up and quickly put out the fire, but smoke damage forced the temple to close temporarily. Prosecutors say four people, including the temple’s head nun, were inside at the time.
Surveillance video allegedly showed a vehicle stopping at the property gate before a man broke a window screen, ignited a gasoline-filled jar, and threw it into the temple before fleeing. Authorities later identified Tanton as the suspect and Thompson as the driver of the vehicle.
Federal response
“The use of firebombs to attack a place of worship is a direct threat to the safety and peace of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Ganjei. “No one should fear being attacked in their house of worship. The Southern District will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who seek to spread fear and violence through acts of hate or intimidation.”
Possible penalties
If convicted, both face up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine on the conspiracy and explosives charges.
Tanton could also face an additional 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine for the destructive device charge.
What’s next
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Weinhold and Anthony Franklyn. The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation.
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