Iawa man sentenced to 16 years for setting gay flag on fire

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The sentences will be served consecutively. He was convicted by a jury, and a judge sentenced him to the maximum of 15 years in prison on the arson charge, one year in jail on the reckless use of explosives charge, and 30 days for harassment. He told KCCI that he did not regret his actions and said he was 'guilty as charged.'ĭespite admitting his guilt on television, Martinez pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was charged with a hate crime of arson, reckless use of explosives or fire, and harassment. Martinez said that he burned the flag because he opposes homosexually. He then carried it a gentleman's club a few blocks away where he doused it with lighter fluid and lit it on fire. An Iowa man who burned an LBGTQ flying at a church was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Adolfo Martinez, 30, saw the flag at the Church of Christ in Ames and ripped it down.

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