CARY, N.C. -- A man accused of making anti-Semitic comments to members of a Cary synagogue this weekend appeared in court Monday.

• William Warden, 20, is the son of NC Court of Appeals Judge Lucy Inman.
• He's been charged with ethnic intimidation and burning a cross for a separate incident down the street from Congregation Sha'arei Shalom last week.
• Cary Police say Warden's cross burning charges are because they believe he built and lit a cross on fire in nearby Bond Park on October 26.

William Warden, 20, is the son of NC Court of Appeals Judge Lucy Inman. He's been charged with ethnic intimidation and burning a cross for a separate incident down the street from Congregation Sha'arei Shalom last week.

Congregation Sha'arei Shalom's leader, Rabbi Seth Klayman, says they've experienced anti-Semitism before but Saturday night was the first time someone came to their house of worship to insult their Jewish faith.

Police believe Warden came up to the synagogue and rang the video doorbell numerous times, after which a member answered remotely.

Rabbi Klayman says the person at their doorstep started threatening the congregation, telling them to "get out of our government and get out of Cary". Warden was arrested later that night.

Klayman says the incident is a symptom of a larger anti-Semitism problem Jews face.

"Anti-Semitism is nothing new by any stretch. I personally didn't experience any shock or surprise, because it exists and has existed for many centuries," he said.

Cary Police say Warden's cross burning charges are because they believe he built and lit a cross on fire in nearby Bond Park on October 26.

Warden's bond has been set at $75,000.

His parents released a statement to the media about their son's behavior. They say Warden is mentally ill and that they "apologize profusely to the Jewish community and all who have been impacted".