Mississippi Man Pleads Guilty to Vandalizing Satanic Display at Iowa Capitol

Michael Cassidy, a Mississippi man, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of third-degree criminal mischief for destroying a statue of the pagan idol Baphomet at Iowa's state Capitol. In return, prosecutors dropped a felony hate crime charge. Cassidy, who raised over $134,000 for his defense, will receive a deferred judgment with two years probation, an $855 civil penalty, and restitution. The statue was part of a display by the Satanic Temple of Iowa.