Man Linked to White Supremacy Pleads Guilty in Arson Attack on Historic Tennessee Civil Rights Center

The fire caused over $1.2 million in damage to the Highlander Research and Education Center, a hub for civil rights training.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:19pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a charred, twisted metal object from the Highlander Center fire, capturing the stark, gritty aftermath of the destructive blaze.The aftermath of a devastating arson attack that destroyed part of a historic civil rights institution in Tennessee.Houston Today

A man with ties to white supremacist movements has pleaded guilty to setting a fire that destroyed part of the historic Highlander Research and Education Center in Tennessee. The blaze in 2019 caused over $1.2 million in damage to the facility, which has hosted civil rights leaders like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. over the decades. The suspect, who was initially charged in 2025, also pleaded guilty to attempting to aid the terrorist group Hezbollah.

Why it matters

The Highlander Center has been a crucial hub for civil rights activism and training for decades, hosting many iconic figures of the movement. This arson attack represents a disturbing escalation of extremist violence targeting important institutions and symbols of the fight for racial justice.

The details

The suspect, identified as a man linked to white supremacist groups, pleaded guilty to setting the fire that destroyed the main offices of the Highlander Research and Education Center in New Market, Tennessee in March 2019. The blaze caused over $1.2 million in damage and destroyed decades' worth of irreplaceable documents, artifacts, and materials from the Civil Rights Movement. In addition to the arson charge, the suspect also pleaded guilty to attempting to aid the militant group Hezbollah by providing personal information on individuals affiliated with the Israeli government.

  • The fire broke out at the Highlander Center in the early morning of March 29, 2019.
  • The suspect was initially charged in connection with the arson in 2025, over 6 years after the incident.
  • The suspect pleaded guilty to the charges in February 2026.

The players

Highlander Research and Education Center

A historic social justice center in Tennessee that has hosted civil rights leaders like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. for training and activism over the decades.

The Suspect

A man with ties to white supremacist movements who pleaded guilty to setting the fire that destroyed part of the Highlander Center in 2019 and attempting to aid the terrorist group Hezbollah.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not admitting anything.”

— The Suspect

“a sparkler bomb and some Napalm.”

— The Suspect

What’s next

The suspect faces up to 20 years in prison under the plea agreement. Authorities continue to investigate the suspect's ties to white supremacist groups and any potential connections to other extremist activities.

The takeaway

This attack on the historic Highlander Center, a hub of civil rights activism, represents a disturbing escalation of violence by white supremacist groups targeting important symbols and institutions of the racial justice movement. It underscores the ongoing threat of domestic extremism and the need for continued vigilance and action to combat these hateful ideologies.