Feds: Man Torched Arizona Church Over Gay Pastor

Tucson’s CBS affiliate reports:

Federal court documents paint Eric Ridenour, the suspect in the Douglas church fires, as a man with a violent criminal history who doesn’t like women or gay men preaching. Authorities have said Ridenour set fires at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church in Douglas on May 22, 2023. Both buildings were extensively damaged. St. Stephen’s pastor is openly gay and the pastor of First Presbyterian is a woman.

Ridenour is facing a federal charge of interfering with interstate commerce. Prosecutors are asking he be held in custody, calling him a “danger to the community.” According to federal documents, Ridenour was convicted of criminal damage involving a domestic violence incident with an ex-girlfriend. He was also arrested for allegedly threatening to beat up his ex-wife’s fiance and pouring sugar into the gas tank of another ex-girlfriend.

Read the full article.

Documents: Douglas church arson suspect has violent history, doesn’t like women or gays in leadership roles at churches https://t.co/I6HUHFgaRx

— Cody Lillich (@CodyLillich) June 15, 2023