Steven Shields, Church Arson, Florida 2020

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Table of Contents

Florida Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime

A disturbing act of vandalism has shaken the community of Ocala, Florida. Steven Shields, 24, of Dunnellon, has been charged with a federal hate crime for setting fire to the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala.

According to the indictment, Shields intentionally set fire to the Queen of Peace Catholic Church on July 11, 2020. The indictment alleges that he was motivated to set this fire due to the religious character of the church.

Shields is charged with one count of intentional damage to religious property, a hate crime charge that falls under the Church Arson Prevention Act, and one count of using fire to commit a felony. If convicted, Shields faces a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment for intentionally damaging religious property.

He also faces an additional mandatory minimum of 10 years for using fire to commit a felony. Shields also faces up to three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution.

The FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Florida State Fire Marshal, the Florida Bureau of Fire and Arson Explosives Investigations, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion County Fire and Rescue Department and the Ocala Police Department conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Bodnar Jr. of the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Maura White of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation and Shields is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.