The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana announced on Mar. 31 that Anthony Dillon, Jr., 19, and James Dale Smith IV, 21, both of Columbia, have been charged with arson after allegedly burning down the only Catholic church in Caldwell Parish on the Friday before Holy Week.
This case is significant because it involves the destruction of a central place of worship for Catholic residents in Caldwell Parish just before an important religious observance. The loss impacts both spiritual life and community gatherings for local residents.
According to court documents, Dillon and Smith were living in a home that was stealing electricity from the church. After the church disrupted this theft and a dispute over a broken television arose with another resident, Dillon and Smith allegedly broke into the church early on March 27 by smashing a window with a baseball bat. They reportedly stole electronic equipment including at least three televisions and a sound system before setting fire to the building. When law enforcement responded to reports of the fire, they found much of the interior already destroyed.
“Worshiping where we choose is a fundamental liberty woven into the founding fabric of this Nation, and these two men are alleged to have destroyed the sole church in Caldwell Parish where its Catholic residents could meet and worship right before the holiest week in the church calendar,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Our Office looks forward to seeking and securing justice for the residents of Caldwell Parish here and hope that this case shows our rural communities that we remain present and vigilant in serving and protecting them.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is leading an investigation into this incident with help from several agencies including state fire marshals, local sheriff’s office personnel, and federal investigators. The prosecution will be handled by U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller along with Paralegal Specialist Joanne Henry-Mills.
If convicted on federal arson charges, Dillon and Smith face mandatory minimum sentences of five years up to twenty years in prison as well as supervised release periods and fines up to $250,000 each.
Officials remind readers that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
