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(previous report): Sentencing delayed for man convicted of AZ church fires
DOUGLAS, Ariz. - A man was sentenced to prison for burning down two churches in southeastern Arizona.
Last year, 58-year-old Eric Ridenour was found guilty of arson and hate crimes charges in connection to the fires, which happened in Douglas on May 22, 2023.
Ridenour was sentenced to more than 36 years in prison on Jan. 7, the United States Attorney's Office announced.
Suspect in Douglas church fires has sexist, homophobic views, court documents allege
Records show both Douglas churches have either female or openly gay pastors, and according to investigators, it was something the suspected arsonist was openly against.
The two churches targeted were St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church. Officials say the churches are located in a historical district within the border community, in an area that is believed to be the only intersection in the country with churches from four different denominations: Southern Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Methodist.
"This is a case about two separate arsons and the motivations behind each," United States Attorney Gary Restaino said. "Defendant burned a church because he disagreed with its position that women and LGBTQ individuals may serve as ministers, and then he burned a second church, in the same historic square, for the same reason. Destruction of religious institutions is abhorrent to our Constitution. I add my voice to the prayers for healing in the Douglas community."