TUCSON, Ariz. – Eric Ridenour, 58, of Douglas, was found guilty of all six counts of arson and hate crimes yesterday in Tucson. He burned down two churches on May 22, 2023.
Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church in Douglas, Arizona were both burned down by Ridenour. The churches were in Church Square, a historic area in the border town of Douglas, which is about two hours southeast of Tucson. It is thought to have been the only crossing in the country with churches from the Methodist, the Southern Baptist, the Presbyterian, and the Episcopal faiths. According to the evidence presented in court, Ridenour started the fires in both churches on purpose because he didn’t like how they had women and LGBTQ people in leadership positions. On May 23, 2023, Ridenour was caught.
United States Attorney Gary Restaino said, “Religious freedom is sacred in America.” “Setting a church on fire is horrible.” It’s worse when someone sets fire to a church because they don’t agree with its religious teachings. Many thanks to the people who went to Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church and were brave in the face of this hate crime.
If you are found guilty of setting fire to property used in interstate commerce, you could spend anywhere from five to twenty years in jail. People who are found guilty of Obstruction of the Free Exercise of Religious Beliefs by Fire can spend up to 20 years in jail. If you are found guilty of Using Fire to Commit Federal Felony, you will spend 10 years in jail. If you are found guilty a second time of Using Fire to Commit Federal Felony, you will spend 20 years in jail.
The sentencing hearing is set for October 22, 2024, in front of US District Court Judge Scott H. Rash.
In this case, the probe was done by the Federal Bureau of Probe, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Douglas Police Department. The case was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Austin Fenwick, Ben Goldberg, and Adam Rossi from the District of Arizona.
