Ohio Man Receives 18-Year Sentence for Firebombing Church Hosting Drag Events

Aimenn Penny was sentenced to 18 years in prison for attempting to firebomb a church in Ohio that was hosting a drag event, pleading guilty to committing a church arson hate crime and using fire and explosives to commit a felony. Penny, a member of the pro-Nazi group White Lives Matter, targeted the church due to its support for the LGBTQ+ community. Despite causing limited physical damage, the attack instilled fear in the community, leading to parishioners leaving and a preschool relocating. Penny's attorney cited his client's susceptibility to online hate and misinformation, while prosecutors emphasized the message that hate-fueled violence will not be tolerated in the United States.