SALT LAKE CITY?A man who set fire to a Pakistani family’s business two days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal hate crime.

James Herrick, 31, of Salt Lake City, is accused of the arson at Curry in a Hurry restaurant. He admitted Wednesday to pouring gasoline and igniting it on Sept. 13, slightly charring a plywood wall at the back of the building.

“I got upset over what happened and did something very stupid,” Herrick told U.S. Magistrate Ronald Boyce. Herrick said he was motivated by hatred against Muslims.

The state charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.