A 20-year-old Ohio man has been charged with a federal crime after attempting to burn down a church in Chesterland, Ohio, in an attempt to stop the church from hosting drag show events.
Aimenn D. Penny, of Alliance, Ohio, was initially arrested and charged with federal offenses on March 31. According to court documents, Penny attempted to burn the Community Church of Chesterland to the ground using Molotov cocktails.
Penny was indicted on one count of violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, one count of using fire to commit a federal felony, one count of malicious use of explosive materials, and one count of possessing a destructive device.
If convicted, Penny faces a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison for violating the Church Arson Prevention Act. Penny also faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison for the malicious use of explosive materials charge and up to 10 years in prison for the possession of a destructive device charge.
In addition, if convicted of using fire to commit a federal felony, Penny faces a 10-year mandatory prison sentence that will run consecutively with any other prison term imposed.
The FBI Cleveland Field Office is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Deckert and Matthew W. Shepherd for the Northern District of Ohio and Trial Attorneys Jacob Warren and Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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