Faithwire
  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • News
  • Politics
  • Coronavirus Updates
  • Faith
  • Opinion
  • Christmas
  • Set Free Course

Iowa Man Gets 16 Years in Prison for Burning Church’s LGBT Flag

Photo by George Frey/Getty Images
Photo by George Frey/Getty Images
Share Tweet
By Dan Andros
Managing Editor

December 20, 2019

An Iowa man is facing a hefty amount of time behind bars after stealing and later burning a church’s LGBT flag out in front of a strip club.

‘My Father Would Have Been Disappointed’: Franklin Graham Blasts Christianity Today’s Call to Remove Trump

The 30-year-old man, Adolfo Martinez, was charged with third-degree arson in addition to hate crime and harassment charges, according to the Des Moines Register. A charge for reckless use of fire was thrown in for good measure, as well.

Martinez was described by the paper as a habitual offender, which would potentially explain the excessive charges on what seemingly was a relatively minor offense.

Back in June Martinez allegedly stole a pride banner being flown at a local church, Ames United Church of Christ. After confiscating the flag, he then traveled down the road to Dangerous Curves Gentleman’s Club and using lighter fluid and a lighter, set the flag on fire.

The hate crime, which was levied because Martinez allegedly targeted the church because of what the flag “represents as far as sexual orientation”, carries a maximum of five years in prison along with it.

The fact that Martinez was a habitual offender, and the fact that it is not immediately clear what his past offenses are, make it difficult to know just how unusual this harsh of a sentence is for burning someone’s flag.

Be praying this man has a change of heart, that people think twice before destroying property, and also that our nation doesn’t become one that starts locking people up and throwing away the key over misdemeanors.

Latest

  • News

    Ex-Navy SEAL’s One-Word Response When Asked the Best Way to Prevent Horrific Mass Shootings

  • News

    Why the Toxic, Diabolical Responses to ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ After Mass Shootings Fuel More Evil

  • Faith

    ‘Harbingers of Things to Come’: Jonathan Cahn Film Explores Ancient Mysteries, Prophetic Warnings for US

  • News

    Lee Greenwood Joins Celebs, Politicians in Backing Out of NRA Convention, Citing Texas Horror: ‘I Cannot Be Canceled’

  • Media

    Viral Libs of TikTok Account Suspended From Instagram


Navigation

  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Staff
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Sign up to get our newsletter your inbox every day.

Newsletter Signup

Do you want to read
more articles like this?