Tyler W. Massengill, Malicious Use of Fire and Explosive to Damage, Illinois 2023

PEORIA, IL – Tyler W. Massengill, 33, of Chillicothe, Illinois, will spend the next decade behind bars after being sentenced today for the deliberate arson of the Planned Parenthood Peoria Health Center. U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid handed down a 120-month prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered Massengill to pay a staggering $1,450,000 in restitution.

The January 15, 2023, fire was no random act, authorities revealed. Court documents and statements made during the proceedings showed Massengill acted out of rage, believing his former partner had obtained an abortion at the Peoria facility. He reportedly confessed to thinking that even a temporary disruption of services at the health center might be “worth it,” a chilling admission of intent. The blaze caused significant damage, impacting the facility’s ability to serve its patients.

“This defendant’s violent conduct severely damaged the Peoria Health Center and upended patients’ access to reproductive health services,” stated Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to aggressively prosecute such unlawful, destructive acts, and to protect the clinics that provide reproductive health services, as well as their patients and staff.”

U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, Gregory K. Harris, echoed Clarke’s sentiment, adding, “The defendant’s destructive actions in setting fire to the Peoria Health Clinic were reprehensible and limited the ability of women in our community to access important reproductive health services.” Massengill previously pleaded guilty on February 16, 2023, to malicious use of fire and an explosive to damage, and attempt to damage, the Peoria Health Center.

The investigation, a joint effort by the FBI Springfield Field Office, Peoria Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), highlighted the growing threat of extremist violence. FBI Special Agent in Charge David Nanz emphasized, “Massengill’s actions represent the very real threat posed by extremists in our communities.” ATF Director Steven Dettelbach added, “Any violent act like this is unacceptable. Worse here, is that this defendant used violence to target health care providers and their patients.”

Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria underscored the emotional toll of the crime. “Massengill’s criminal activity was destructive in many ways – not just physically but emotionally for those that count on Planned Parenthood for their healthcare needs,” he said. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna, with assistance from Trial Attorney Erin Monju of the Civil Rights Division. The conviction sends a clear message: attacks on healthcare providers will not be tolerated.

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