Tag: arson

Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime in Arson Case Targeting U.S. Congregation

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

Kevin Colantonio, 34, of Rhode Island. has agreed to plead guilty to a hate crime for setting fires at a predominantly Black church earlier this year, federal prosecutors announced. The plea deal includes admitting to arson motivated by racial bias and an additional offence committed while in custody.

Colantonio’s crimes occurred in February, targeting Shiloh Gospel Temple in North Providence. Court documents reveal that he used gasoline to ignite multiple fires around the church’s exterior shortly after midnight on February 11. The North Providence Police and Fire Departments quickly extinguished the flames, preventing significant damage.

As part of the plea deal, Colantonio admitted to selecting the church specifically because of the race, colour, religion, or ethnicity of its congregants, who are predominantly Black. This admission classifies the arson as a hate crime, carrying enhanced penalties under federal law.

While detained at Wyatt Detention Facility in March, Colantonio committed another serious offence. According to prosecutors, he threw a mixture of faeces and urine at a correctional officer delivering his breakfast.

The potential consequences of Colantonio’s actions are significant. He faces a minimum prison sentence of five years and a maximum of 56 years, along with a possible $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. A hearing is scheduled for January 7 at the Rhode Island U.S. District Court in Providence.

U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha highlighted the importance of the case as part of ongoing civil rights enforcement efforts. Cunha stated that the final sentence would be determined by a federal judge, with recommendations from his office and the probation department.

The arson at Shiloh Gospel Temple, which was unoccupied at the time, left the congregation deeply affected. For many Christians, places of worship represent sanctuaries for prayer, community, and spiritual growth. Targeting such spaces for violence not only damages property but also disrupts the sense of security and unity that churches provide to their members.

Arson Fire Destroys Church in Loon Lake, Saskatchewan

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JEFF TURNER

A fire that destroyed a church in Loon Lake, Saskatchewan, in September 2024, has been determined to be the result of arson, according to a news release from Loon Lake RCMP. The press release says a suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident.

On the morning of September 28, 2024, Loon Lake RCMP were called to respond to a fire at a church on Main Street in Loon Lake. When officers arrived, the building was already fully engulfed in flames. Loon Lake Fire Services were on the scene, working to control the blaze. Fortunately, no one was in the church at the time, and no injuries were reported.

Initially, the RCMP described the investigation as being in its early stages. Officers asked the public for help, encouraging anyone who had seen anything suspicious or who had security camera footage from the area to come forward. At the time, the cause of the fire was unknown, and police considered it suspicious.

After weeks of investigation, RCMP announced an arrest in the case. On December 7, 2024, 25-year-old Shandon Chief, from the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, was taken into custody. He has been charged with one count of arson under Section 434 of the Criminal Code. In addition, Chief was arrested for breaching a conditional sentence order.

Shandon Chief appeared in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on December 9, 2024. The RCMP have not released additional details about the evidence that led to the arrest.

The destruction of the church marks a significant loss for the Loon Lake community. Police continue to encourage anyone with information about the fire to contact them.

Historic Church in Southern U.S. Rebuilds After Arson Destroyed Its Original Building

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Greater Union Baptist Church, located in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, has been a part of the community for over 130 years. In 2019, the church faced a devastating loss when its building was deliberately burned down by an arsonist. Now, the congregation is preparing to move into a new, modern sanctuary.

The fire that destroyed Greater Union Baptist Church was part of a series of attacks on churches in the area. Three Baptist churches in St. Landry Parish were targeted and burned within a span of 10 days. Authorities arrested Holden Matthews, who was 21 years old at the time of the crimes. He pleaded guilty in U.S. Federal Court. Matthews was sentenced on three counts of violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, 18He is currently serving 25-year sentences in both federal and state prisons, with the terms running at the same time.

The church community also experienced the loss of its pastor, Harry Richard, who passed away nearly a year after the fire. He had been the leader of Greater Union during the difficult period following the arson. Pastor Patrick Lavergne has since taken on the role of leading the congregation.

The new sanctuary for Greater Union Baptist Church represents a fresh start for the congregation. The building is equipped with modern facilities and reflects the resilience of its members. Church leaders have announced that services in the new space will begin in December.

The completion of the new building is a significant moment for the church and the wider community.

Ontario Man Awaits Sentencing This Week for First Nation Church Arson

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JEFF TURNER

A court will determine the fate of Emric Thompson next week in connection with a 2020 church fire at Saugeen First Nation.

Thompson faces sentencing on November 27 for burning the Church of Jesus Christ and damaging a worship pavilion with an all-terrain vehicle. The court found him guilty of both arson and mischief causing damage worth more than $5,000.

The incidents took place on September 28, 2020, during a period when several churches in the area experienced fire damage. Thompson stood trial for three separate church fires but was cleared of involvement in two cases. The court found him not guilty regarding the Saugeen Fellowship Baptist Church fire, while prosecutors dropped charges related to Wesley United Church due to lack of evidence.

Superior Court Justice Roger Chown will issue the sentence after hearing arguments from both sides. While arson carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison, Thompson’s sentence could range from probation to two years in custody. Prosecutors have asked for a period of probation lasting two years, plus 100 hours of community service after any jail term.

The sentencing hearing begins at 3 p.m. at the local courthouse.

U.S. Congregation celebrates groundbreaking ceremony three years after arson

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JEFF TURNER

The congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Franklin Lakes, Jew Jersey, held a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday for a sanctuary to replace one destroyed by arson in 2019. Rebuilding has been delayed while the church worked out details with its insurance company.

Congregation members have worshipped in a nearby Christian School since the fire.

Construction is expected to be complete by March 2023.

Fire officials in 2019 reported there were no injuries from the fire. A suspect arrested in the case was later found not guilty by reason of insanity and ordered to confinement at a state mental health facility.