Church Arson Likely Random Vandalism, Fire Official Says

By Orlan Love, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mar. 13–The arson that heavily damaged the First Presbyterian Church in Monticello on Saturday was likely a random act of vandalism rather than an anti-religious expression, said Jeff Quigle, the assistant state fire marshal.

“A hate crime is always possible, but the arson church fires we’ve investigated have tended to be random acts,” Quigle said.

The Rev. Al Polito, the Monticello church’s pastor, said he has been so shocked by the arson and so busy trying to help the church recover that he hasn’t thought about the arsonist’s motivation.

While the congregation works to determine whether the church is repairable, it is entertaining several offers of space for interim worship services, he said.

“We are all so grateful for the outpourings of help and sympathy,” Polito said.

From 2004 through 2006, the three most recent years for which records are available, Iowa recorded 21 church fires, of which two were intentionally set, Quigle said.

Though last year’s data have not been tabulated, Quigle said he knows of at least two inten tionally set church fires that occurred April 29 in Burlington.

In that case, Kevin Ravelin, 29, of Burlington, faces federal charges of arson in the fire at the First United Methodist Church and attempted arson in the fire at the First Presbyterian Church.

In both fires, Ravelin also faces federal charges of obstruction of the free exercise of religion.

Ravelin claimed to have started the Methodist church fire while cooking a hamburger in the church kitchen, but police said they found anti-Christian items during a search of his residence.

While Iowa law affords no enhanced penalties for church arson, cases can be prosecuted, as Ravelin’s is, under the federal Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996, which criminalizes intentional destruction, defacement or damage to religious property “because of the religious character” of the property and acts that interfere “with the enjoyment” of a person’s “free exercise of religious beliefs.” That same act mandates that agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives be called to help investigate any church fire, Quigle said.

Investigators have not yet identified a suspect but continue to follow up on leads, he said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the arson hot line at 1-(800) 532-1459.

Contact the writer: (319) 934-3172 or orlan.love@gazettecommunications.com

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