A Colorado man pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to a hate crime in connection to arson at a Loveland church.
Darion Ray Sexton, 22, intentionally set fire to the Abiding Love Lutheran Church on Jan. 19, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.
“Sexton admitted that he set this fire by throwing two Molotov cocktails at the church – one at the front door and the other at the basement,” the release said. “Sexton further admitted that he was motivated to set this fire due to the religious character of the church and that he intended to destroy the church.”
The FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Loveland Police and Fire departments investigated the case.
“We all have a right to feel safe and secure in our houses of worship – no matter our religion or belief,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan, District of Colorado. “An act of violence in one of our sacred places is especially serious, and we will work with our law enforcement partners to vigorously prosecute all such offenses.”
A sentencing hearing is scheduled July 21. Sexton, who entered a plea agreement in the case, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
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