Alleged White Supremacist Pleads Guilty in Fire at Tennessee Civil Rights Center

Regan Prater admitted to arson and attempting to aid a foreign terrorist organization.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:18am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a charred, twisted metal object against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the destruction of a historic civil rights institution.The aftermath of a devastating arson attack on a landmark civil rights center exposes the ongoing threat of white supremacist extremism.Today in Nashville

A man linked to white supremacist groups pleaded guilty to setting a fire that destroyed an office at the historic Highlander Research and Education Center in Tennessee, a hub for civil rights training. Regan Prater also pleaded guilty to attempting to aid the militant group Hezbollah.

Why it matters

The Highlander Center has played a pivotal role in the American civil rights movement, hosting leaders like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. This attack on a symbolic institution highlights the ongoing threat of white supremacist extremism and the need for vigilance in protecting sites of historical significance.

The details

According to court documents, Prater pleaded guilty to setting the March 2019 fire that destroyed an office at the Highlander Center. He also admitted to attempting to provide a list of personal information for individuals affiliated with the Israeli government to the terrorist group Hezbollah. Prater was initially charged with arson in 2025 and is now facing a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

  • The fire at the Highlander Center occurred on March 29, 2019.
  • Prater was arrested in April 2025 in connection with the arson.
  • Prater pleaded guilty to the charges on April 13, 2026.
  • Prater's sentencing is scheduled for September 9, 2026.

The players

Regan Prater

A man linked to white supremacist movements who pleaded guilty to setting the fire at the Highlander Center and attempting to aid a foreign terrorist organization.

Highlander Research and Education Center

A historic social justice center in Tennessee that has played a pivotal role in the American civil rights movement, hosting leaders like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not admitting anything.”

— Rooster

“a sparkler bomb and some Napalm.”

— Rooster

What’s next

Prater's sentencing is scheduled for September 9, 2026, where he could face up to 20 years in prison.

The takeaway

This attack on the historic Highlander Center, a hub for civil rights training and activism, underscores the ongoing threat of white supremacist extremism and the need to vigilantly protect sites of historical significance to the American civil rights movement.