I hate posting this but it's hard to ignore. It would seem there must be more to the story but I've looked at threes sources and not seeing that.

Iowa man sentenced to 16 years for setting LGBTQ flag on fire

An Ames man was sentenced Wednesday to about 16 years in prison after he set fire to a church LGBTQ flag in June.

Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, last month was found guilty of a hate crime — a class "D" felony — third-degree harassment and reckless use of fire. Police said he stole a pride banner hanging at Ames United Church of Christ, 217 6th St., and burned it early June 11 outside Dangerous Curves Gentleman’s Club, 111 5th St.

Martinez admitted to police that he lit the banner on fire with lighter fluid and a lighter after stealing it from the church, according to court documents.

Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds said hate crime charges were added because Martinez is suspected of criminal mischief against someone's property because of "what it represents as far as sexual orientation."

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

Fucking moron.

So I assume similar penalties will be doled out in that court for burning the American flag?

I suspect it was the stealing from a church part, more than the setting on fire part. If he had bought his own flag and set it on fire as a protest, I doubt he'd be facing the same charges. Still seems harsh.

Ridiculous punishment for just stealing and burning a flag. Many rapists and murderers do less time.

Is it because of some arson thing, says he was burning it "outside" of a gentleman's club, like was he in the parking lot lighting it up,or was he also trying to torch the titty bar? Because without that element of arson, theft and burning of a flag just doesn't warrant 16 years, regardless of why he stole and burned it.

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:
Ridiculous punishment for just stealing and burning a flag. Many rapists and murderers do less time.

ANTIFA does it all the time, no punishment. Anger the Alphabet People and feel the lefts wrath.

A few more details, I don't see an arson charge, but he is a repeat offender and showed zero remorse. FWIW, Ames is about half an hour (via I-35) N of Des Moines and home of Iowa State Univ. Go Cyclones!

"...returned with a pride flag and burned it along Fifth Street..."

Complete article:

https://www.amestrib.com/news/...o-17-years-in-prison

Ames flag burner sentenced to 17 years in prison

By David Mullen, Staff Writer dmullen@amestrib.com
Posted at 8:48 AM
Updated at 10:06 AM

The Ames man found guilty for tearing down and burning an LGBTQ flag from a local church has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Adolfo Martinez, 30, was convicted by a jury in November of a hate crime, third-degree harassment and being a habitual offender, which is associated with previous reckless use of fire crimes. He was sentenced Wednesday in Story County District Court, in Nevada.

All three crimes were to be served concurrent as the habitual offender charge carries a 15 year sentence and hate crime two years. Martinez is not eligible for parole until the mandatory minimum of three years is met.

He is the first person to be convicted of a hate crime in Story County, Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds said.

“The hard reality is there are people who target individuals and commit crimes against individuals because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, and when that happens it’s so important that as a society we stand up and people have severe consequences for those actions,” Reynolds said.

Prior to his final sentencing Martinez gave his impact statement, and indicated that he would never stop, and was ‘living by God’s laws,’ Reynolds said.

On June 11, Ames Police responded to a call at the Dangerous Curves gentleman’s club at 111 Fifth St., because a man was making threats and acting disorderly. When officers arrived at the scene, Martinez had been kicked out.

Later that night, Martinez returned to the club and told an employee that he wanted to burn a pride flag, and was going to burn down the club.

He left the club and returned with a pride flag and burned it along Fifth Street, authorities previously told the Tribune.

Martinez was arrested later that day.

16 years seems harsh for being a douchebag.

Who exactly is the victim in this 'crime'?

Habitual offender. Makes more sense now.

He's not gay but $20 is $20.

quote:

Originally posted by zipriderson:
16 years seems harsh for being a douchebag.

Who exactly is the victim in this 'crime'?

The organization he stole the flag from and their property that he then destroyed...

Although there are plenty of other reasons for the sentence, keep in mind that “hate crimes” are the heresy of the 21st century. He’s lucky they didn’t tie him to a post and set him on fire.

Was someone wearing it when he set it on fire.

Habitual offender? Bullshit. Multiple murderers don't get 16 years

quote:

Originally posted by Lord Vaalic:
Habitual offender? Bullshit. Multiple murderers don't get 16 years

Yep. We all know the hate crime legislation should be repealed, but that isn’t gonna happen. Clintoon and the demoncrats gave us that turd before the 1994 mid-terms.

My remark about the “habitual offender makes sense” was that it makes sense to the liberals.

They should’ve given him a couple years and been done with it, imo.

Sounds like a false flag operation to me!

Theft of property? Yes.

Unauthorized burning in city/county jurisdiction? Maybe.

Hate crime and 16 years? Asinine. A waste of prison resources and ridiculously punitive.



.

16 years is an incredibly long sentence for the crime......I could see probation to 6 months MAXIMUM.

quote:

Originally posted by Rightwire:
So I assume similar penalties will be doled out in that court for burning the American flag?

You are kidding, right?