By Canadian Press

Federal hate crime charges filed in black church fires

Jun 12, 2019 | 1:17 PM

NEW ORLEANS — The U.S. Justice Department says hate crime charges have been filed against a Louisiana man in connection with three fires that destroyed African American churches earlier this year.

A news release from the department says 21-year-old Holden Matthews faces three counts of “intentional damage to religious property,” which are hate crime charges. He’s also charged with three counts of “using fire to commit a felony.”

The indictment says the fires were set “because of the religious character” of the properties.

Matthews has pleaded not guilty to related state charges. His attorney declined comment on the federal charges.

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Kevin McGill, The Associated Press