A man pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges tied to two fires at Minnesota mosques in 2023, marking a rare confession in what authorities described as attacks on religious worship sites. Jackie Rahm Little, 38, admitted to one count of arson and one count of damage to religious property in connection with the fires at Masjid Al-Rahma in Bloomington and Masjid Omar Islamic Center in Minneapolis. A sentencing date has not been set.
Court records show Little has a history of mental illness, arson or suspected arson, and domestic violence, according to prosecutors. In a statement, Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said that the case underscores a broader commitment to protecting houses of worship from criminal acts. 'When someone sets fire to a house of worship, it is not only a federal crime, it is an attack on the heart of a community,' Thompson said. 'Minnesota has endured too many assaults on our sacred spaces.'
The Bloomington fire occurred on April 24, 2023, and the blaze forced the evacuation of children attending a daycare on site, with damage estimated at more than $378,000. A separate incident in Minneapolis the day prior involved a cardboard box set on fire in a restroom at Masjid Omar Islamic Center; an employee intervened before the fire could spread. Investigators linked both incidents to the same defendant, according to prosecutors.
Community leaders described the fires as shocking and said they reflected a pattern of rising anti-Muslim violence across Minnesota and the United States. Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the attacks were intended to instill fear but instead strengthened the community’s resolve. Hussein was at the Bloomington mosque when the fire began and helped evacuate children. 'These violent attacks were meant to instill fear, but instead they have strengthened our community’s resolve,' Hussein said.
Prosecutors framed the plea as part of a broader effort to deter crimes targeting religious institutions. The case remains a reminder of the persistent threat to places of worship and the importance of federal enforcement in investigating arson and hate-motivated crimes. Details about a potential sentence will be announced after a formal ruling by the court, and officials said Little will be subject to federal sentencing guidelines.
The two mosques involved serve large Muslim congregations in the Twin Cities area. Authorities noted that the fires caused disruption beyond the immediate damage, affecting families, children, and staff who rely on the facilities for daily worship and community programs. While the Minneapolis incident was restrained by quick action, the Bloomington blaze caused extensive damage and required emergency evacuations, underscoring the potential for rapid harm in such attacks. The case is expected to be cited in ongoing discussions about safeguarding religious spaces and addressing hate-crime trends in the region.