Politics
US Department of Justice releases information on church burning
Freedom to practice the religion
Church burning
Heart on fire
Bridges, 18, of Henry County, Va., pleaded guilty to one count of destroying a religious property by fire. Prior to his guilty plea, the court granted a government motion to transfer Bridges to adult status for criminal prosecution. The defendant was 17-years-old when the criminal conduct occurred.
“The freedom to practice the religion that we choose in a safe environment without being subjected to hateful acts is among our nation´s most cherished rights,“ said Roy L. Austin, Jr., Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department´s Civil Rights Division. “Anyone who violates this right will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.“ ~U.S. Department of Justice
“The freedom to practice the religion that we choose in a safe environment without being subjected to hateful acts is among our nation´s most cherished rights,“ said Roy L. Austin, Jr., Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department´s Civil Rights Division. “Anyone who violates this right will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.“ ~U.S. Department of Justice
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies to all religions. The Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment states that Congress shall not pass laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion.
the case record Reveals that at approximately 1:20 a.m., Bridges and another juvenile intentionally set fire to New Holy Deliverance Outreach Ministry. A predominantly African American congregation, located in Axton, Va. burned to the ground due to arson. Bridges admitted that he burned down the church because of the race, color and ethnic characteristics of its members.
the case record Reveals that at approximately 1:20 a.m., Bridges and another juvenile intentionally set fire to New Holy Deliverance Outreach Ministry. A predominantly African American congregation, located in Axton, Va. burned to the ground due to arson. Bridges admitted that he burned down the church because of the race, color and ethnic characteristics of its members.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Henry County Department of Public Safety.
the Henry County Sheriff´s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives aided with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Cullen along with Trial Attorney Christopher Lomax of the Department of Justice´s Civil Rights Division, will prosecute the case for the United States.
Bridges was sentenced to serve two years in prison, two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $141,773.68 in restitution .
the Henry County Sheriff´s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives aided with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Cullen along with Trial Attorney Christopher Lomax of the Department of Justice´s Civil Rights Division, will prosecute the case for the United States.
Bridges was sentenced to serve two years in prison, two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $141,773.68 in restitution .
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