TENNESSEE
Alan Douglas Fox, 28, plead guilty to civil rights violations in setting fire to four churches.
Fox, of Nashville, plead guilty to all counts of information charging him with setting fire to the following churches:
- Crievewood United Methodist Church on June 17, 2019
- Crievewood Baptist Church on June 25, 2019
- Saint Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church on June 25, 2019
- Priest Lake Community Baptist Church on June 26, 2019
He also was convicted to carrying and using a firearm during the arson of the Crievewood Baptist Church.
During the plea hearing, Fox admitted to intentionally setting the fires because of the religious character of the four churches.
“The defendant, in this case, set fire to four Christian churches, causing fear and anguish to church members and their denominations. The freedom to practice the religion we choose, without discrimination or danger, is a fundamental civil right in our nation and a hallmark of our democracy,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to prosecute, to the fullest extent of the law, those who target and harm houses of worship because of bigotry and prejudice.
U.S. District Judge Eli J. Richardson scheduled sentencing for Feb. 11. Fox faces up to 20 years in prison for each fire and a consecutive five-year sentence for the firearms violation.