A significant development has emerged from Gulfport, Mississippi, where a federal grand jury has charged Stefan Day, also known as Stefan Pete Day Rowold, with multiple serious offenses.
The charges stem from his involvement in vandalizing and setting fire to a house of worship, which has led to federal civil rights and arson violations.
The Incident and Charges
The indictment reveals that on two separate occasions, July 5, 2024, and July 7, 2024, Day allegedly set fire to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Wiggins, Mississippi.
He faces a range of charges, including arson (counts one and four), for the act of setting fire to the church.
Additionally, counts two and five accuse him of intentionally damaging, defacing, and destroying religious property, specifically targeting the church because of its religious significance.
Finally, counts three and six charge Day with using fire to commit a federal felony.
The Consequences of Conviction
If convicted, Day faces severe consequences. On the arson charges, he could face a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison for each offense.
The civil rights charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, while the charge of using fire to commit a felony could result in at least 10 years behind bars.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Jackson Field Office, with assistance from several agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Mississippi State Fire Marshal, and the Wiggins Police Department.
The prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Buckner from the Southern District of Mississippi and Trial Attorney Chloe Neely from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Legal Proceedings and Presumption of Innocence
It’s important to note that an indictment is only an allegation, and Stefan Day remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The legal process will determine his fate, with all charges to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.