Navy Reserve veteran Michael Cassidy has been charged with a hate crime after decapitating a satanic statue at the Iowa State Capitol, according to a Tuesday press release from the local attorney’s office.
Cassidy said he was committing an act of “Christian civil disobedience” after vandalizing a pagan statue of Baphomet on display at the Iowa State Capitol, an action that made national headlines.
“According to court records, Cassidy is scheduled to be arraigned on February 15th.” The Des Moines Register reported.
Navy veteran defends decapitation of Satanic Baphomet statue at Iowa State Capitol ‘Christian civil disobedience’
Navy Reserve veteran Michael Cassidy has been charged with a hate crime after decapitating a satanic statue at the Iowa State Capitol, according to local news. (Getty Images)
According to his report, he has raised more than $100,000 for his legal defense. GiveSendGo site. Cassidy’s fundraising website states that he faces a “possible sentence of five years in prison” for the hate crime charge.
One of Cassidy’s attorneys, R. David Yontz, told FOX News Digital in a statement that he hopes the district attorney’s office will dismiss the charges against his client.
“It is extremely unfortunate that my client is the subject of these types of accusations,” Yontz wrote. “His nonviolent actions were motivated by his sincere and deeply held religious beliefs. His actions were not targeted at any particular individual or organization. We look forward to the charges being dismissed as we carefully consider the facts of this case.”
Cassidy was initially charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, but was released after telling security that he had vandalized the statue. The felony charges were added because a spokesperson for the Polk County Attorney’s Office argued that evidence showed Cassidy vandalized the statue for religious reasons.
Polk County Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Lynn Hicks said, “Evidence shows that the defendant made statements to law enforcement and the public indicating that he destroyed property because of the victim’s religion.” “There is,” he said.
Rise of the Satanic Temple in 2023
In a statement after the statue was vandalized, Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds said she found the statue “totally offensive” but said the best response to offensive speech is more speech and prayer. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The Des Moines Register reported, “Hicks said in a statement that based on information from the Satanic Temple, the cost to replace or repair the statue would be between $750 and $1,500, and destroying the statue would be a felony.” Stated. “(Indeed, the Temple has submitted a damages estimate that puts the cost of replacing the ordinance at $3,000.) It is the hate crime statute that makes this charge a felony, Hicks said.”
Cassidy’s lawyer said in a court filing that the Satanic Temple’s purpose in organizing the pagan Baphomet exhibit was to “evoke strong emotions and incite others.”
In a statement after the statue was vandalized, Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds said she found the statue “totally offensive” but said the best response to offensive speech is more speech and prayer.
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The Polk County Attorney’s Office did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Fox News’ Charles Creitz and Brandon Drey contributed to this report.
