PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon announced that Vincent Lang, 60, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged by indictment with one count of malicious damage by means of fire to a building used in interstate commerce and one count of damage to religious real property, in connection with an arson fire last month at a city mosque.
The defendant has been detained in federal custody since his July 16 arrest on a criminal complaint and warrant.
The indictment alleges that, in the early hours of July 5, 2026, Lang maliciously damaged and destroyed, and attempted to damage and destroy, by means of fire, the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center, located on the 1400 block of Tyson Avenue.
The indictment further alleges that Lang carried out the act because of the religious character of that property, that is, because it was a mosque.
“We will not let anyone attack a place of faith,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “This case demonstrates our resolve to protect our core constitutional liberty of religion. It also exemplifies the swift and decisive response that results for anyone who attempts to disturb the faith of another.”
“Setting fire to a house of worship is an appalling act,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “The Department of Justice will vigorously protect Americans’ right to be free from intimidation and violence while practicing their religion.”
“There is no place for acts of violence in our city, especially those motivated by bias,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “The FBI is grateful for the valued partnerships we share with law enforcement and public safety agencies across Philadelphia. Together, we remain committed to pursuing those who threaten the safety and wellbeing of those we are charged to protect.”
“We thank the city, state, and federal agencies that helped us in this important public safety case,” said ATF Philadelphia Field Division Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree. “Houses of worship fire investigations are an ATF priority that we tackle with all our considerable arson investigation resources.”
“An attack on a house of worship is an attack on the fundamental right of every person to practice their faith safely and without fear,” said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel. “The additional civil rights charge reflects the seriousness of what is alleged in this case and sends a clear message that acts intended to threaten or intimidate a religious community will be met with the full force of our collective law enforcement response. I am grateful to our investigators and our federal, state and local partners for their continued work to ensure accountability and protect every community in our city.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 40 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years’ imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, and the Philadelphia Police Department, with assistance from the Philadelphia Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office Special Investigations Unit and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda R. Reinitz and J. Jeanette Kang and Trial Attorney Taylor Payne of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Eastern District of Pennsylvania — U.S. Department of Justice press release.