9+ Years! Missouri Church Arsonist Sentenced
A shocking crime has rocked a Missouri community. Christopher Scott Pritchard, 49, was sentenced to over nine years in federal prison for the arson of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cape Girardeau. The fire, which occurred on April 18, 2021, caused nearly $7 million in damages. Pritchard pleaded guilty to arson and a related felony under the Church Arson Prevention Act. This case highlights the devastating impact of religious hate crimes and the ongoing need for stronger protections for places of worship. Read the full story to understand the details of the crime, the legal proceedings, and the broader implications for religious communities.