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

[yortsed snacilbuper]

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.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/iowa-man-sentenced-to-16-years-for-setting-lgbtq-flag-on-fire/ar-BBY9Rfh?ocid=spartanntp&pfr=1

[Karadeniz]

1. This seems extreme.

[USALiberal]

6. I agree! nt

[TidalWave46]

2. There has to be more to this.

If not, this is fucked up, all the way around.

Looks like there was some time between him taking the flag, bringing it to another location, and setting it ablaze. There is very little info that I am finding. I'm going out on a limb to say this isn't this guys first rodeo.

[mercuryblues]

4. There is more.

He has 2 prior felonies.

Reynolds said Story County will recommend the maximum sentence of 15 years. The Story County jury also found Martinez guilty of being a habitual offender for two prior felonies, Reynolds said.

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2019/11/06/hate-crime-man-who-burnt-ames-pride-flag-could-face-15-years-prison-ames-united-church-of-christ/2510541001/

[TidalWave46]

5. Thank you for that.

I actually read a story from the Desmoines Register before commenting and it didn’t include that.

I appreciate the information.

[mercuryblues]

7. You're welcome

I think it is a different article from when he was charged. I tried to find out what his 2 other felonies were and if they were in the same vein. My guess is he didn't get that many years for burning the flag, he got them for arson, theft, and harassment of the victims. If he had bought a flag and burned it with a permit he would not be going to prison for years.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. Bingo!! That'll work, every time..

or every 3 times, actually.

[JDC]

9. That is good info. TY

[marble falls]

3. If this was just your average white Grassley/King supporter would he have even been tried? ...

He needed punishing, but 16 years???

[Blue_true]

10. Look at above posts, apparently the guy is a criminal with priors. nt

[marble falls]

11. Key word "apparently". No one knows so they speculate. Even so ...

he burnt a flag worth what, $20? Even is he'd been found guilty after being caught in the act in the past, why is he being sentenced like this for a petty property crime? As a hate predicate in an assault on another person. this crime wouldn't have gotten him this much time.

[dsc]

12. post 4 has a link which states he did, indeed, have 2 priors

[dsc]

13. that is really misleading

he was sentenced to that time for being a repeat felon, the last offense being burning the flag.