Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty to Highlander Center Arson Attack

Regan Darby Prater admitted to using a 'sparkler bomb' to destroy the civil rights education facility in a white supremacy-motivated attack.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:55am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a charred, twisted metal object against a pitch-black background, conveying a stark, gritty investigative aesthetic without depicting violence.The aftermath of a white supremacy-motivated arson attack exposes the harsh reality of domestic terrorism targeting civil rights institutions.New Market Today

A 28-year-old Tennessee man named Regan Darby Prater has pleaded guilty to arson and attempting to provide material support to the foreign terrorist organization Hezbollah. Prater admitted to using a napalm-based 'sparkler bomb' to destroy the Highlander Center, a school for grassroots leaders and social movements in New Market, Tennessee, causing over $1.2 million in damage. Prater spray-painted a Nazi symbol in the Center's parking lot before detonating the bomb, which he said was an extension of his white supremacist beliefs.

Why it matters

The Highlander Center has a long history of supporting civil rights and social justice movements, making it a target for extremist groups. This attack highlights the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism and white supremacist violence, especially against institutions that advocate for racial equality and marginalized communities.

The details

According to court documents, Prater admitted to igniting a 'sparkler bomb' - a napalm-based explosive device set off by a sparkler - to destroy the Highlander Center facilities in New Market, Tennessee. Before detonating the bomb, which caused over $1.2 million in damage, Prater spray-painted the symbol of the Iron Guard, a Nazi organization, in the Center's parking lot. Prater stated that the arson was an extension of his white supremacist beliefs and was intended to attack the Highlander Center for its work in advancing the Civil Rights Movement and providing education to grassroots leaders.

  • Prater attempted to provide material support to Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, in 2019.
  • Prater pleaded guilty to the arson and terrorism-related charges on April 14, 2026.

The players

Regan Darby Prater

A 28-year-old Tennessee man who pleaded guilty to arson and attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

Highlander Center

A school for grassroots leaders and social movements in New Market, Tennessee that was the target of Prater's white supremacy-motivated arson attack.

Hezbollah

Also known as 'Hitzballah,' a U.S.-recognized Foreign Terrorist Organization that Prater attempted to provide material support to in 2019.

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What’s next

Prater faces up to 20 years in federal prison, along with related fines, restitution, and a term of supervised release to be served after he is released from custody.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism and white supremacist violence, particularly against institutions that advocate for racial equality and social justice. It highlights the need for continued vigilance and robust law enforcement efforts to combat these extremist ideologies and protect vulnerable communities.