CLEVELAND – Aimenn D. Penny didn’t apologize for firebombing a church last year in Geauga County, Ohio.
Instead, he justified sacrificing his future for hate.
The 20-year-old, standing calmly in an orange prison jumpsuit during his sentencing hearing Monday in U.S. District Court, maintained his attack was a protest against the LGBTQ+ community and drag shows, an effort “to protect children.” He said he does not believe men should dress as women or vice versa.
“Especially in a place of worship,” Penny said. “I didn’t hurt anyone.”
Except, he did – the judge and victims said.
U.S. District Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan sentenced Penny to 18 years in federal prison for the March 25 attack and ordered him to pay $10,507 in restitution to the church, to undergo mental health treatment and to serve three years supervised probation after his release.