A man from Alliance, Ohio, facing federal charges for attempting to set fire to a church using Molotov cocktails in response to the church's decision to host drag shows, entered a guilty plea on Monday for violating the Church Arson Prevention Act and using fire and explosives for a felony.
According to the Department of Justice, 20-year-old Aimenn D. Penny created Molotov cocktails and then traveled to the Community Church of Chesterland in Chesterland, Ohio, on March 25.
The church's plan to hold two drag shows to support the LGBTQI+ community on the following weekend triggered Penny's actions. Upon arrival at the church, Penny reportedly hurled two Molotov cocktails at the building with the intention of causing extensive damage.
Consequently, he was charged with various offenses, including violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, using fire for a federal felony, misuse of explosive materials, and possession of a destructive device.
By confessing his guilt, Penny acknowledged his use of fire and explosives with the aim of preventing churchgoers from practicing their religious beliefs freely.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the DOJ’s National Security Division condemned Penny's actions, emphasizing that such acts of extremist violence contradict fundamental American principles of freedom of expression and worship.
Penny could face a maximum of 20 years in prison for violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, along with an additional 10-year mandatory sentence to be served consecutively with any other imprisonment. The sentencing, set for January 29, 2024, will be decided by a federal district judge.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division strongly denounced the attack on the Community Church of Chesterland, emphasizing the Justice Department's commitment to safeguarding the religious rights of all Americans and prosecuting those who target places of worship.
Clarke stressed the importance of churches being secure sanctuaries for all individuals, emphasizing the need to combat violence driven by hate and bigotry.
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