⏱ 2 min read
Anthony Dillon, Jr., 19, and James Dale Smith IV, 21, of Columbia, Louisiana, have been charged with arson for burning down the only Catholic church in Caldwell Parish. The incident occurred on March 27, 2026, just before Holy Week, after the church disrupted the men’s electricity theft and they were confronted about selling a broken television set. The men allegedly broke into the church, stole electronic equipment, and set the building ablaze. The motive behind the arson appears to be revenge against the church for disrupting their illegal activities.
The church’s interior was largely destroyed by the time the fire was extinguished. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case. If convicted, Dillon and Smith face a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison, with a maximum sentence of 20 years, three years of federal supervision, and a fine of $250,000.
United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller stated that the incident is a violation of the fundamental liberty to worship where one chooses. The case highlights the importance of protecting rural communities and ensuring that those who commit crimes face justice.
The investigation is ongoing, with the ATF working to gather evidence and build a case against the two men. The community is left to pick up the pieces and rebuild the church, a staple of the Catholic community in Caldwell Parish.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: Louisiana
- Location: LA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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