“But 12 people that I don’t know, who have no investment in me or this congregation, said this man committed a crime, and it was crime borne of bigotry and hatred.” “I often experienced Ames as not being as progressive as many people believe it is, and there still is a very large closeted queer community here,” said the church’s pastor, Eileen Gebbie, who is herself a member of the LGBTQ community, after learning of the conviction. He made it clear he had no intention of fighting the charges, saying he was “guilty as charged.” “It was an honor to do that,” Martinez told a reporter regarding his actions. Martinez admitted what he had done to police, as well as to local news station KCCI. A jury found him guilty last month of a hate crime, third-degree arson, third-degree harassment, and reckless use of fire as a habitual offender. An Iowa man who burned a church’s Pride flag has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.Īdolfo Martinez, 30, was sentenced on Wednesday on charges related to stealing the rainbow flag from Ames United Church and burning it in front of Dangerous Curves Gentleman’s Club, on June 11.
