The ‘White Lives Matter’ member told investigators he was trying to protect children in Chesterland
A 20-year-old man who firebombed a church in Ohio, because it was planning to host two drag events, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Monday.
Aimenn D. Penny was so angered by the Community Church of Chesterland’s plans and support for the LGBTQ+ community that he made two Molotov cocktails, drove around 50 miles from his home in Alliance and threw them at the building.
The Department of Justice said he was “hoping to burn it to the ground” on March 25, 2023, a week before the drag shows were due to take place.
According to the complaint against Penny, seen by The Messenger, the 20-year-old was a known member of a local “White Lives Matter” group which had “racist, pro-Nazi, and homophobic views.”
Penny had been seen at different events run by the group in the months leading up to the church attack, including an anti-drag story hour event around a week before.
When interviewed by the F.B.I. following his arrest, Penny said he was trying to protect children by attacking the church, having become increasingly angry watching drag events in France online.