CHESTERLAND, OH — Aimenn D. Penny, 20, pleaded guilty yesterday to attempting to burn down the Community Church of Chesterland (CCC) because the church supported the LGBTQI+ community.
He was charged with violating the Church Arson Prevention Act and using fire and explosives to commit a federal felony.
According to court documents, on March 25, Penny, a resident of Alliance, Ohio, manufactured Molotov cocktails and drove to CCC in Chesterland. Angered by the church’s plan to host two drag events the following weekend, Penny threw two Molotov cocktails at the church with the intent to destroy it.
In his guilty plea, Penny admitted to using fire and explosives to obstruct CCC congregants from freely expressing their religious beliefs. Earlier this year, he was arrested and charged with one count each of using fire to commit a federal felony, malicious use of explosive materials, and possessing a destructive device.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated that acts of violence against churches supporting the LGBTQI+ community have no place in society. She assured that the Justice Department is committed to safeguarding the free exercise of religious beliefs.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division remarked that acts of extremist violence against religious institutions undermine core American values of freedom of expression and worship.
U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio emphasized that all community members have the right to assemble, worship, and express their beliefs without the fear of violence or intimidation. Her office pledged to continue prosecuting those who threaten this fundamental right.