Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Burn Down Church that Was Planning to Host Drag Shows
An Ohio man pleaded guilty yesterday to violating the Church Arson Prevention Act and to using fire and explosives to commit a felony as part of his plan to burn down a church that was planning to host drag show events.
Aimenn D. Penny, 20, of Alliance, made Molotov cocktails on March 25 and drove to the Community Church of Chesterland.
The church was planning to host two drag events the following weekend.
According to a press release from the Department of Justice, “Penny threw two Molotov cocktails at the church, hoping to burn it to the ground. Through Penny’s guilty plea, he admitted to using force through fire and explosives, intending to obstruct CCC congregants in their enjoyment and expression of their religious beliefs.”
“Attempting to burn down the Community Church of Chesterland for their support of the LGBTQI+ community is reprehensible,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
