A federal judge released a Massachusetts man on Wednesday to home confinement after he was accused of trying to set fire to a Jewish-sponsored assisted living center.

Judge Katherine Robertson released John Michael Rathbun, 36, shortly after he was charged with attempted arson.

The judge�s decision garnered a written objection from U.S. Attorney Steven Breslow, who wrote that Robertson�s decision to release Rathbun �appears to have been greatly influenced by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.�

Breslow added that while the pandemic has created �laudable� concerns, the reasoning is not a sound basis for releasing the East Longmeadow resident, who presents both a flight risk and a risk to public safety.

Officers found a full gas canister that had a Christian religious pamphlet burned out in the nozzle at the entrance of Ruth�s House in Longmeadow on April 2.

Authorities then discovered blood stains on the canister and pamphlet and traced the DNA back to Rathbun, according to a police affidavit.

Prosecutors described the alleged crime as an act of anti-Semitic violence.

The attorney�s office said the center was being discussed on white supremacist online platforms before the gas can was found.

The Boston Globe reported that Rathbun�s federal public defender declined to comment, except to say that he�d be filing a written response to prosecutors� objection to the release order.

Ruth�s House is a Jewish-sponsored assisted living center for seniors of all faiths, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts. It�s located within 1 square mile of several other Jewish facilities, including three Jewish temples, a Jewish private school and a Jewish Community Center.

The attorney�s office said the center was being discussed on white supremacist online platforms before the gas can was found.

(AP)