Member of neo-Nazi group charged with trespassing, assault for stunt at Jewish Community Center

 

A Blount County man who court records identify as part of a white supremacist group sits in Davidson County jail on a $250,000 bond after being accused of disguising himself in an unsuccessful attempt to gain entry into the Gordon Jewish Community Center in Nashville Monday evening.

The high bond came after Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk appeared personally in night court late Thursday when the defendant's initial bond was being set, according to a DA's office spokesperson. It is not common for the county's highest prosecutor to come to these sorts of hearings.

Jesse Feld, executive director of the Gordon Jewish Community Center, said the group was not intimidated.

"While it's unfortunate that antisemitism exists and persists in today's world, we are not intimidated by these bad actors," Feld said. "We are committed to continually providing a safe and secure environment for our vibrant Jewish community to continue to grow."

The Gordon Jewish Community Center in a statement said its on-duty security officer asked and then forced the intruder to leave. The guard told police that the man "charged" him in an attempt to get to his car while walking him off the property, but the guard ultimately was successful in maneuvering him out the front gate, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.

Once off the property, the security officer waited for police to arrive, who interviewed the intruder on the scene, the statement from the community center states. He was allowed to leave then arrested Wednesday by authorities in Maryville, Tennessee, after detectives, in consultation with the community center and the DA's office, determined he should be charged, police said.

"While such events can be unnerving, we are pleased with the work of our Gordon JCC Security unit in ensuring the optimal outcome," the Gordon Jewish Community Center said in its statement. "We are always committed to ensuring that our members and visitors can enjoy the Gordon JCC with complete confidence that they are safe and secure in our facility."

Travis Keith Garland, 31, faces charges of criminal trespassing and assault of officer. Comments in his criminal case file, accessed at the courthouse, state, "part of a white supremacist group."

While Garland's intent remains unclear, this is not the only recent criminal case involving a place of worship in Nashville.

A Middle Tennessee man was indicted in federal court in December on a charge of communicating a threat in interstate commerce. According to federal court records, he threatened a mass shooting at a Nashville mosque and used antisemitic language in videos found on his cell phone.

A statement from the American Muslim Advisory Council, a Nashville-based advocacy group for Tennessee's Islamic community, thanked law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for swift action.

“This alarming incident highlights the critical importance of early intervention in preventing acts of violence and ensuring the safety of all,” the statement said. “While this threat has been averted, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance within our community.”