An Alliance, Ohio, man who pleaded guilty to incendiary bombing a church in October because it was planning to hold a drag show was sentenced Monday to 18 years in prison.
On October 23, 2023, Aymen D. Penny, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Church Arson Act and one count of malicious use of explosives. He was originally charged with those two charges, as well as charges of use of fire to commit a federal felony and possession of a destructive device, but the latter two were dropped as part of a plea agreement.
The charges date back to March 25, 2023, when Penny made a Molotov cocktail and drove to Chesterland Regional Church in Chesterland, Ohio.
Ohio man pleads guilty to attempted incendiary bombing at church-sponsored drug event; suspects range from 20 to 30 years old
Community Church of Chesterland, Chesterland, Ohio (Google Maps)
The church was scheduled to hold two drag shows in support of the LGBTQI+ community the following weekend, which infuriated Penny, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
When Penny arrived at the church, he threw two Molotov cocktails at the church with the intention of burning it down, the Justice Department added, citing court documents.
By pleading guilty, Penny admitted to using fire and explosives to prevent members of his church from enjoying and expressing their religious beliefs.
Supreme Court denies DeSantis in legal battle over drag queen ban
A drag show at the Montana State Capitol held in protest of a series of bills aimed at trans-Montana ways of life in Helena, Montana, April 13, 2023. (Tom Bridge/Independent Recording via AP, File)
Penny was facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for violating the church arson law, and a mandatory 10-year sentence to run consecutively with other prison terms for using fire as a federal felony.
On Monday, a federal judge sentenced Penny to 216 months or 18 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Coalition challenges Montana drug ban as federal judge seeks declaration unconstitutional
Drag queens perform in Orlando. (AP Photo/John Rau, File)
Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, said, “This ruling confirms that Mr. Penny committed violence against an Ohio church because he did not agree with the way its members expressed their beliefs. We will hold them accountable for their actions.” “This type of extremist violence has no place in our communities, and the Department of Justice will not tolerate anyone who uses or threatens violence to prevent our fellow citizens from freely exercising their fundamental rights. We are committed to bringing them to justice.”
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division also commented, saying she hopes the ruling sends a “clear and resounding message” that hate-fueled attacks against churches will not be tolerated.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“This defendant attempted to burn down a church simply because its members created space for and provided support for the LGBTQ+ community,” she said. “The Department of Justice will vigorously investigate and prosecute such senseless and bias-based violence against people exercising their constitutionally protected rights to practice their religion and express their beliefs.”
