Colorado Man Sentenced to 39 Months in Prison for Molotov Cocktail Attack on Church

Darion Ray Sexton pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime charge and was sentenced to 39 months in prison. (Larimer County Sheriff’s Office)

A Colorado man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison after pleading guilty to throwing Molotov cocktails at a church in the city of Loveland last year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.

Darion Ray Sexton, 22, pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime charge on May 5, 2023, in relation to the attack on the church, which took place in January of that same year.

He was sentenced on Tuesday to 39 months behind bars.

According to prosecutors, Mr. Sexton intentionally set fire to the church in the early hours of the morning on Jan. 19 by throwing two Molotov cocktails at it—one in the front of the building and another in the basement.

First responders and law enforcement officials arrived at the place of worship, reportedly the Abiding Love Lutheran Church, following reports of the building being ablaze and were able to extinguish the fire at the front door of the church.

The second fire in the basement of the church appeared to have been put out by the emergency sprinkler system, officials said.

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Law enforcement officers recovered a broken glass bottle from the front door near the fire and said the area smelled like gasoline.

Doorbell Camera Captures Suspect

They recovered a second broken bottle—along with a partially melted plastic bottle—in the basement.

A doorbell camera at the church also captured a masked individual throwing a “Molotov-cocktail-type destructive device at the church’s front door,” officials said.

Footprints in the snow near the church led to a neighborhood and to Mr. Sexton’s home, according to prosecutors. A search of his residence led police to discover a plastic bottle that was similar to the plastic bottle found in the church basement.

Additionally, police reviewed video footage from a Loveland liquor store two days before the fire showing what appeared to be Mr. Sexton purchasing liquor bottles similar to the broken glass bottles found at the church.

Mr. Sexton later admitted to prosecutors that he was motivated to set the church on fire due to its “religious character” and that he intended to destroy the church, according to the DOJ.

‘Free to Worship Without Fear’

The Colorado resident entered into a plea agreement with the prosecution last year, according to a separate press release from the DOJ.

“This defendant has now been held accountable for his deliberate attack on the church,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“No one should live in fear because of their religious beliefs. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute those who seek to destroy houses of worship and interfere with the fundamental right to practice religion freely.”

The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Loveland Police and Fire Departments were all involved in the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan D. Fields for the District of Colorado and Trial Attorney Maura White of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.

“Places of worship are critical for our communities, and this office stands ready to protect them,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan for the District of Colorado.

“Religious freedom means being free to worship without fear. Our office will take every appropriate action to ensure that every Coloradan enjoys this essential freedom.”

The Epoch Times has contacted a lawyer for Mr. Sexton for comment.