EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Arguments are scheduled Tuesday in Eugene on a motion that may release Cody Crawford while he awaits trial on federal charges alleging he firebombed a mosque in Corvallis.
Crawford referred to himself as a Christian warrior after his arrest in the November 2010 firebombing that damaged an office. He was indicted on charges of using fire to commit a felony and damaging religious property for racial reasons, which is a hate crime.
The mosque firebombing occurred just two days after FBI agents arrested a Somali-American, Mohamed Osman Mohamud, in a sting operation at Portland’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Mohamud was charged with plotting to kill people at the ceremony by igniting a car bomb. Mohamud had occasionally worshipped at the Corvallis mosque.
