A federal indictment was returned charging an Ohio man with violating the Church Arson Prevention Act for using Molotov cocktails against the Community Church of Chesterland in Chesterland, Ohio, according to officials.
,Aimenn D. Penny attempt to burn the church to the ground, officials stated.
He was also indicted on one count of using fire to commit a federal felony, one count of malicious use of explosive materials and one count of possessing a destructive device.
According to court documents, Penny, 20, of Alliance, attempted to burn the church to the ground after learning the church was holding multiple drag show events the following weekend.
Penny was initially arrested and charged with federal offenses on March 31.
If convicted, Penny faces to 20 years in prison for the violation of the Church Arson Prevention Act.
Penny also faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison for the malicious use of explosive materials charge an
d up to 10 years in prison for the possession of a destructive device charge. In addition, if convicted of using fire to commit a federal felony, Penny faces a 10-year mandatory prison sentence that will run consecutively with any other prison term imposed.
The FBI Cleveland Field Office is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Deckert and Matthew W. Shepherd for the Northern District of Ohio and Trial Attorneys Jacob Warren and Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.