Reynolds said Martinez is the first person to be convicted of a hate crime in the county. Martinez was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years for the hate crime of arson, as well as a year for the reckless use of explosives or fire, and 30 days for harassment. Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds said hate crime charges were added because Martinez is suspected of criminal mischief against someone's property because of"what it represents as far as sexual orientation." A jury convicted Martinez in November. Martinez admitted to police that he lit the banner on fire using lighter fluid and a lighter after stealing it from the church, according to court documents. Police said he stole a pride banner hanging at Ames United Church of Christ and burned it early June 11 outside the Dangerous Curves Gentleman’s Club.
Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames last month was found guilty of a hate crime – a class"D" felony – third-degree harassment and reckless use of fire.
After an Amber Alert was sent out she resurfaced and confessed to staging the whole thing.ġ6 Ways To Minimize Your Carbon Footprint This Holiday SeasonFrom eco-friendly gift wrapping to sustainably sourced trees, there are plenty of ways to eat, drink, be merry *and* be a friend to the planet.ĭES MOINES, Iowa – An Iowa man was sentenced to about 16 years in prison after he set fire to a church LGBTQ flag in June. NBCOUT NBCOUTġ6 Cozy Fall Soups to Simmer & Slurp This SeasonBrace yourself, fellow New Yorkers! ❄️ Meantime: 16 Cozy Soups to Simmer & Slurp During a Snow Squall ?ĭid 16-Year-Old Karol Sanchez Stage Her Own Kidnapping?The 16-year-old was kidnapped by four men in a van. and '15 years for the HATE CRIME OF ARSON and given a year for RECKLESS USE OF EXPLOSIVES OR FIRE and 30 days for harassment.' Not hard to understand if you read the article. NBCOUT 'HABITUAL OFFENDER STATUS' brings stiffer sentences. Hate crime and habitual offender charges enhanced his prison sentence. Iowa man sentenced to 15 years after burning church’s LGBTQ flagAdolfo Martinez said he tore down the pride flag because he opposes homosexuality. But you can burn the American flag, and get nothing!ġ6 years? Wtf Is because is from middle East, that flag is an evil flag This man was sentenced, not for burning the flag, but for threatening violence to the bar, church, and others, as well as other offenses. I'm telling you! Hi your headline is wrong, in the US we are allowed to burn any flags we want as part of our freedom of speech.