Ohio Man Charged With Federal Offenses for Firebombing Church to Stop Drag Queen Story Hour

Aimenn Penny was seen at a protest against a Drag Queen Story Hour in Wadsworth, Ohio, on March 11, 2023. U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio

An Ohio man is facing federal charges over an unsuccessful attempt to burn down a church that was planning to host a “Drag Story Hour” event, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said Monday.

According to a complaint (pdf) filed by the FBI, 20-year-old Aimenn Penny was arrested on March 31 after he allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at the Community Church of Chesterland, in Chesterland, Ohio, breaking a sign outside the building and leaving scorch marks on the church’s front door.

Penny was initially charged with one count of malicious use of explosive materials and one count of possessing a destructive device, which when combined carry a penalty of up to 30 years in prison. The DOJ said he now additionally faces a maximum prison time of 20 years for violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, and a 10-year mandatory prison sentence for using fire to commit a federal felony.

Penny’s arrest came through a joint effort by the FBI Cleveland Field Office and the local police departments that have been noticing him attending protests against drag queen story hour events since 2022, according to the court filings.

“The Cleveland Field Office of the FBI received information that Penny was responsible for the attack on CCC and is a member of the White Lives Matter, Ohio group,” an FBI special agent wrote in the complaint, describing the group as one with “racist, pro-Nazi, and homophobic views.”

According to the FBI agent, Penny admitted that he built the Molotov cocktails and used them at the church on March 25 “with the intent to burn the structure.” He also allegedly told the agent that he was “trying to protect children and stop the drag show event.”

“Penny stated that night he became more and more angry after watching internet videos of news feeds and drag shows in France and decided to attack the church,” the document reads. “Penny stated that he would have felt better if the Molotov cocktails were more effective and burned the entire church to the ground.”

The Community Church is a part of the theologically progressive, pro-LGBT United Church of Christ (UCC). It took to Facebook to thank authorities for their “overwhelming support and protection” of those attending the Drag Story Hour, which took place on April 1.

“The number of cruisers we hear were present, the ’swat-style‘ vans, the Chagrin Falls’ tactical mobile unit’ which we were told was parked nearby...this overwhelming presence would have put caution in the mind of any group hoping to make an opportunistic threat,” the church stated. “The only memory resulting from the day’s event at the church was Joy and Love! So much Love!”

The church, which is approximately 20 miles east of the UCC’s national headquarters in Cleveland, organized the event in collaboration with a local restaurant. The promotional material posted on the church’s Facebook page didn’t include any information about age restrictions.

The FBI Cleveland Field Office is still investigating the case.