Religion Roundup
Man Gets 35-year Sentence for Church Fire
Associated Press
October 1, 2008
DAVENPORT, Iowa - An Iowa man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison and ordered to pay more than 8 and a-half million dollars in restitution for burning down a historic church.
Kevin Ravelin pleaded guilty in May to charges that included arson and obstruction of the free exercise of religion.
The fire he set destroyed the First United Methodist Church of Burlington, Iowa, in April 2007.
He also set fire to the First Presbyterian Church across the street, but only minor damage was reported there.
Federal prosecutors say Ravelin set the fires because of a long-held anti-Christian sentiment.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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