An Ohio man has pleaded guilty to violating the Church Arson Prevention Act and using fire and explosives to commit a felony. Aimenn D. Penny, 20, of Alliance, admitted to throwing two Molotov cocktails at the Community Church of Chesterland (CCC) in Chesterland, Ohio, in an attempt to burn it down. His motivation for the attack was the church’s support for the LGBTQI+ community.
The incident occurred on March 25, when Penny made Molotov cocktails and drove to the CCC. Upset by the church’s plan to host two drag events, Penny threw the makeshift bombs at the building, hoping to destroy it. Through his guilty plea, he acknowledged that he intended to obstruct the church’s congregants in their expression of religious beliefs by using force through fire and explosives.
Penny had been arrested and charged earlier this year with violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, using fire to commit a federal felony, malicious use of explosive materials, and possessing a destructive device.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division condemned Penny’s actions, calling the attempt to burn down the CCC “reprehensible.” She emphasized that there is no room in the country for bias-motivated violence and terror, and that the Justice Department is committed to protecting all Americans in their free exercise of religious beliefs. Clarke stated that churches should be safe havens for all people, not sites subjected to violence driven by hate.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division also condemned Penny’s actions, highlighting that extremist violence goes against core American values of freedom of expression and worship. He affirmed that the United States will not tolerate those who use force to deny citizens their rights.
U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio stated that Penny’s guilty plea confirms that he attempted to burn down the church because he disagreed with a planned LGBTQI+ event. She emphasized that violence is never an appropriate way to settle differences in beliefs. Lutzko asserted that all members of the community have the right to peacefully assemble, worship, and express themselves without fear of violence or intimidation. She emphasized that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio will aggressively prosecute criminals who threaten that right.
Larissa L. Knapp, Executive Assistant Director of the FBI’s National Security Branch, praised the collaboration between the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, local law enforcement, and community partners in identifying and bringing federal charges against Penny. Knapp referred to Penny as a hate-fueled individual motivated by his extremist ideology. She stated that Penny committed these despicable acts with the aim to terrorize and intimidate a religious institution’s expression, and believes he should be held accountable for his crimes.
Penny now faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, as well as a mandatory 10-year prison sentence that will run consecutively with any other prison term imposed for using fire to commit a federal felony. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for January 29, 2024.
This case highlights the importance of protecting religious freedom and ensuring the safety of all individuals attending worship services. It serves as a reminder that acts of violence motivated by bias and hate have no place in society. Authorities will continue to work diligently to prosecute those who target houses of worship and violate the rights of others.
