CINCINNATI, OHIO — A 52-year-old Ohio man is facing state and federal charges after prosecutors say he set fire to multiple Pride flags and other neighborhood decorations, screaming hateful threats and filming himself as the flames burned.
Authorities identified the suspect as Thomas Niehaus, who allegedly used a tiki torch and torch fuel to ignite flags outside homes in Cincinnati’s Clifton and Northside neighborhoods on July 30.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich announced that Niehaus initially faced seven counts of aggravated arson and three counts of arson at the state level — but he has now been federally indicted on a count of malicious use of fire for targeting residents based on their display of Pride and Ukrainian flags.
Caught on Camera and Fueled by Hate
Home surveillance videos reportedly captured Niehaus walking up to porches and front yards, setting flags ablaze, and shouting obscenities. In one recording, he can be heard saying:…