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Table of Contents

Church Arsonist Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Violations

A Nashville man has pleaded guilty to setting fire to four Christian churches in the state of Tennessee. Alan Douglas Fox, 28, admitted to intentionally setting the fires because of the religious character of the four churches.

The church arsons occurred on the following dates: Crievewood United Methodist Church on June 17, 2019; Crievewood Baptist Church on June 25, 2019; Saint Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church on June 25, 2019; and Priest Lake Community Baptist Church on June 26, 2019. Fox also pleaded guilty to carrying and using a firearm during the arson of the Crievewood Baptist Church.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated, ‘The defendant in this case set fire to four Christian churches, causing fear and anguish to church members and their denominations. The freedom to practice the religion we choose, without discrimination or danger, is a fundamental civil right in our nation and a hallmark of our democracy.’

Acting U.S. Attorney Mary Jane Stewart of the Middle District of Tennessee added, ‘The U.S. Attorney’s Office will always pursue those, who by their malicious actions, infringe upon our freedom of religion.’

U.S. District Judge Eli J. Richardson of the Middle District of Tennessee scheduled sentencing for February 11, 2022. By the terms of the plea, Fox faces up to 20 years in prison for each fire and a consecutive five-year sentence for the firearms violation.

The FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and the Nashville Fire Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Beth Myers and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting it.

The case highlights the importance of protecting the freedom to practice one’s religion without fear of violence or intimidation. The Justice Department will continue to prosecute those who target and harm houses of worship because of bigotry and prejudice.