Colorado man gets more than 3 years in prison for throwing Molotov cocktails at church

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for January 23

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

Join Fox News for access to this content Plus get unlimited access to thousands of articles, videos and more with your free account! Please enter a valid email address. By entering your email, you are agreeing to Fox News Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided.

A Colorado man was sentenced Tuesday to 39 months in prison for throwing Molotov cocktails at a church last year, setting it ablaze. 

Darion Ray Sexton, 22, pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime charge on May 5, 2023.

Per court documents, Sexton set fire to a church in Loveland, Colorado, the evening of Jan. 19, 2023. Sexton admitted that he threw two Molotov cocktails at the church — one in the front of the building and another in the basement.  

Darion Ray Sexton has pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime charge.  (Larimer County Sheriff’s Office)

SWASTIKA PROJECTED ON UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER DORM BY GROUP ‘CHANTING RACIST WORDS’

Sexton later admitted he set the church on fire because of the “religious character” of the church, and he intended to destroy the building, according to the Justice Department. 

The FBI, ATF, and the Loveland Police and Fire Departments were involved in the investigation. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

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

Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more.