A man has been sentenced to more than 16 years in jail for
pulling down and burning an LGBTQ flag that was flying at a church in the US.
Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, Iowa, was sentenced to 15
years for the hate crime of arson, as well as 1 year for the reckless use of
explosives or fire, and 30 days for harassment.
Martinez was arrested in June and convicted in November. He
said that he tore the flag down from the United Church of Christ in Ames and
burned it because he opposes homosexuality.
In November he
granted an interview to a local TV channel in which he said: "It is my
honor, it is written, it is a judgement and it is written to execute vengeance
on the heathen and punishments upon the people. It is my honor to do so, and it
is an honor to that. It is a blessing from the Lord, plain and simple.
"It was an honor
to do that, it’s a blessing from the Lord to be able to stand for his word
firmly against all odds plain and simple. I wish no harm upon any individual
however if you guys are going to bring and forth and address it in such a
manner than by all means necessary bring it forth bro, I have God on my
side."
Following, his sentencing, Martinez was asked if he planned
to fight the charges and he replied: "No, I’m guilty, I’m guilty as
charged, I say it live. Knowingly, willingly and intentionally did I do that. I
burned down their pride, plain and simple."
He added: "Even non-believers would agree on this
matter. I don’t need weapons, I have the spirit of God on my side, bro."
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