Yesterday's verdict in Tucson delivered a clear message against hate crimes, as 58-year-old Eric Ridenour from Douglas was convicted on six counts of arson and hate crimes. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ridenour was found guilty for the May 22, 2023 burning of two historic churches in Douglas, Arizona — Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church. The churches were a part of the fabric of Church Square, lying at an intersection that uniquely boasted four different denominations side by side.
During the trial, it surfaced that Ridenour had intentionally set the fires due to a hostility towards the churches' inclusive stances, particularly their support for women and LGBTQ individuals in leadership roles. His actions sought to momentarily upend the sanctity of religious freedoms and community spirit. "Religious freedom is sacrosanct in America," stated United States Attorney Gary Restaino. "Arson of a church is deplorable. Arson motivated by objections to the religious principles of a church's congregation is worse."
Ridenour now faces a serious stretch of time behind bars, with the potential to be sentenced to decades in prison. A conviction for Arson of Property Used in Interstate Commerce entails a minimum five years to a maximum 20-year sentence. The Obstruction of Free Exercise of Religious Beliefs by Fire and Using Fire to Commit Federal Felony convictions contribute maximums of 20 and 10 years, respectively, with a second felony conviction potentially adding another 20 years. His sentencing is marked for October 22, 2024, in front of United States District Court Judge Scott H. Rash.
The coordinated effort of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Douglas Police Department, led to the case’s successful prosecution. The district of Arizona's Assistant U.S. Attorneys Austin Fenwick, Ben Goldberg, and Adam Rossi handled the prosecution.
