Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, was found guilty last month of third-degree arson in violation of individual rights — hate crime, third-degree harassment, and reckless use of fire as a habitual offender.
He was arrested after stealing a pride banner hanging at Ames United Church of Christ, 217 6th St., and burning it early June 11 outside Dangerous Curves Gentleman's Club, 111 5th St., police said.
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 the 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."
He faced a maximum of five years in prison for the hate crime and arson charge and a maximum of a year and month for the other two charges, according to Iowa sentencing guidelines. Court records list him as a habitual offender, allowing him to be sentenced to a longer prison term.
Reader Comments
Would seem that his main crime is going against the approved narrative. Perhaps though, there's more to the story as they labelled him a "habitual offender" without really specifying what that means (in this article anyways)
i am actually very offended that the gays and letter people seem to have ownership over it as a symbol of sexual ideologies.
what fucknuts.
If i burned a rainbow letter people flag it would be to liberate the poor rainbow from ANY sexual connotations.
Who gives a fuck which one it is supposed to represent. Leave the poor rainbows alone for crying out loud.
Now you can't even wear anything rainbow themed without someone thinking you are being a prideful gay or letter person.
Between 1907 and 1917, the League for Women's Equal Rights was the most important feminist organization in Russia. Like the Russian Women's Mutual Philanthropic Society, it was focused on education and social welfare, but it also pushed for equal rights for women, including suffrage, equal inheritance, and an end to passport restrictions. The 1917 Revolution, catalyzed in part by women workers' demonstrations, generated a surge of membership in the organization. In the same year, because of the society's continued lobbying, Russia became the first major world power to grant women the right to vote. - Wikipedia
But where to we go?
R.C.
Somehow, this guy will lose all appeals. His only real crimes (here) were:
Stealing the flag;
Maybe burning it depending upon who controlled where it was burned.
I would argue that the destruction of a stolen item should not be considered as a separate charge. Prosecutors would argue otherwise - and that the INSANELY UNCONSTITUTIONAL 'hate crime laws' have been repeatedly (and IMHO wrongfully) ruled as 'constitutional.
You should consider that Slavery was repeatedly ruled to be perfectly 'constitutional'; up until the 14th Amendment.
R.C.