Zachary Cunha, the United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island, revealed details surrounding the arrest of an individual named Colantonio. A search of Colantonio’s residence yielded concerning evidence in the form of notebooks and writings containing disturbing phrases such as “burn churches down to the ground,” “hunt them down,” and “gun everyone down who isn’t White.” This incendiary language was deeply troubling and indicative of hateful intentions.
The plea agreement, recently submitted in federal court, emphasized that Colantonio deliberately singled out a church due to the perceived or actual characteristics of its congregants, including race, color, religion, national origin, and ethnicity. Investigators noted that the targeted Pentecostal congregation, established for approximately 35 years, primarily consisted of Black and African American individuals. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries resulting from these alarming threats and actions.
Colantonio now faces a series of serious charges, including obstruction of the free exercise of religious beliefs, malicious damage by means of fire, and two counts of assault on a federal officer. If convicted on all counts and sentenced consecutively, he could potentially spend 56 years behind bars. Additionally, a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years, a fine amounting to $1 million, and three years of supervised release have been stipulated.
A pivotal moment in this legal saga is on the horizon, as a change of plea hearing has been scheduled for January 7. This proceeding will likely shed further light on Colantonio’s motivations and activities, offering a glimpse into the complexity of this troubling case.
