"I don't hold any animosity to him or toward his family or to anyone," she said. Eileen Gebbie, said that she forgives him. While Martinez did not show any remorse his actions, the pastor at the church, Rev. 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. For the crime of harassment, he received just 30 days. An Ames, Iowa man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for stealing and burning an LGBTQ flag. For the crime of reckless use of explosives or fire, 30-year-old Adolfo Martinez received one year in prison. He was charged with a hate crime of arson, reckless use of explosives or fire, and harassment. A man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for burning an LGBTQ flag that was flying at a church in central Iowa, reports the Associated Press.
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. By The Associated Press and Tim Fitzsimons NEVADA, Iowa A man has been imprisoned for burning an LGBTQ flag that was flying at a church in central Iowa. Martinez was arrested in June after taking the rainbow flag from the United Church of Christ in Ames. Adolfo Martinez, 30, saw the flag at the Church of Christ in Ames and ripped it down. AMES, Iowa (Washington Examiner) An Iowa man was sentenced to serve 16 years behind bars after he tore down a rainbow flag symbolizing gay pride from the front of a church and burned it. In addition to spending a decade and a half in prison for burning the LGBT flag, the 30-year-old Martinez also will be serving an additional year for his use of fire and 30 days for harassment. An Iowa man who burned an LBGTQ flying at a church was sentenced to 16 years in prison.