Member of pro-Nazi group used Molotov cocktails in attempt to burn down Ohio church planning to host a drag event, FBI says

Editor's note (October 24, 2023): Since this story was published, Penny pleaded guilty to violating the Church Arson Prevention Act and for using fire and explosives to commit a felony, according to the Department of Justice and court records. He faces up to 20 years in prison for the first charge and a mandatory 10 years for the second, the DOJ says. His sentencing is scheduled for January 2024.

A member of a neo-Nazi group was arrested Friday after attempting to burn down a church in Ohio that was planning to host a drag show event, according to court documents.

Aimenn D. Penny, 20, of Alliance, Ohio, has been charged in the US District Court in Cleveland with one count of malicious use of explosive materials and one count of possessing a destructive device, according to a criminal complaint.

Authorities claim Penny used "Molotov cocktails against the Community Church of Chesterland in Chesterland, Ohio, in an attempt to burn the church to the ground," the Department of Justice said in a press release.

"As alleged in the charging documents, the defendant used an explosive device to cause harm to a church he found objectionable," Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said in the release. "It is the solemn duty of the Department of Justice to safeguard the right of all Americans to free expression, and I commend the work of law enforcement in this matter."

The FBI claims Penny is a member of "White Lives Matter," a pro-Nazi group, according to an affidavit filed in court Friday. The FBI said the group has "racist, pro-Nazi, and homophobic views."

Penny confessed he attempted to burn down the church using Molotov cocktails, "to protect the children and stop the drag show event," according to the criminal complaint.