DOUGLAS, AZ – Eric Ridenour, 58, of Douglas, Arizona, is facing a significantly expanded federal indictment following the devastating fires that ripped through two historic churches in this border town. A grand jury returned a six-count superseding indictment Thursday, adding hate crime charges to the existing arson allegations. Ridenour is accused of intentionally torching Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church, landmarks in a unique historic district.
The churches, located on Church Square, are reportedly the only block in the nation to house congregations from four different denominations: Southern Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Methodist. Ridenour was initially arrested May 23, 2023, and charged with malicious damage by fire, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(i). The June 22, 2023, indictment mirrored those initial charges, but the new filing paints a disturbing picture of motive.
According to court testimony and further investigation, prosecutors now allege Ridenour’s actions were fueled by hostility towards the churches’ progressive doctrines. Specifically, the indictment details Ridenour’s animus towards the churches for allowing women and members of the LGBTQ+ community to hold leadership positions. This elevates the crime beyond simple property damage and into the realm of federal hate crimes, adding substantial penalties to the potential sentence.
Ridenour now faces charges of Arson of Property Used in Interstate Commerce, Obstruction of Free Exercise of Religious Beliefs by Fire, and Using Fire to Commit a Federal Felony. A conviction on the arson charge carries a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20. The obstruction charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Two counts of Using Fire to Commit Federal Felony could add another 30 years to Ridenour’s potential sentence, with any subsequent conviction running consecutively.
Federal investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Douglas Police Department are jointly handling the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Rossi and Ben Goldberg are prosecuting the case. It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is simply an accusation; Ridenour is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The destruction of these churches has shaken the tight-knit community of Douglas. While the buildings themselves may be rebuilt, the underlying prejudice allegedly driving the arson represents a deeper wound. The case is expected to draw national attention, highlighting the ongoing threat of religiously motivated violence and the federal government’s commitment to prosecuting such acts to the fullest extent of the law.
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