Current:Home > InvestMississippi man accused of destroying statue of pagan idol at Iowa state Capitol takes plea deal -MoneyTrend
Mississippi man accused of destroying statue of pagan idol at Iowa state Capitol takes plea deal
View
Date:2025-04-18 23:39:46
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Mississippi man accused of destroying a statue of a pagan idol at Iowa’s state Capitol pleaded guilty Friday to a reduced charge in return for prosecutors dropping a felony hate crime count.
Michael Cassidy, a former congressional and legislative candidate, was set for trial June 3, but his attorney filed a guilty plea on his behalf to an aggravated misdemeanor count of third-degree criminal mischief, the Des Moines Register reported. Cassidy admitted in writing that he “partially dismantled a display in the Iowa State Capitol Building, without a right/license to do so,” and that the damage was greater than $750.
The statue of the horned deity Baphomet was brought to the Capitol by the Satanic Temple of Iowa under state rules allowing religious displays in the building during the holidays. The move drew strong criticism from state and national leaders, including Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Florida Gov. and then-presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, both Republicans.
On Dec. 14, the figure depicting the horned deity Baphomet was “destroyed beyond repair,” according to the group.
“I saw this blasphemous statue and was outraged,” Cassidy told the conservative website The Sentinel in December. “My conscience is held captive to the word of God, not to bureaucratic decree. And so I acted.”
Cassidy raised more than $134,000 for his defense via the Christian fundraising site GiveSendGo, where supporters said he acted with “bravery and conviction. He was not willing to see God reviled, especially in a building where lawmakers are supposed to honor Jesus Christ as King and look to his law for wisdom as they legislate with justice and righteousness.”
Founded in 2013, the Salem, Massachusetts-based Satanic Temple says it doesn’t believe in Satan but describes itself as a “non-theistic religious organization” that advocates for secularism. It is separate from the Church of Satan, which was founded in the 1960s.
The plea agreement calls for Cassidy to receive a deferred judgment with two years probation, an $855 civil penalty, and to pay restitution in an amount to be determined. He would also be required to participate in a victim-offender dialogue with representatives of the Satanic Temple if requested. The sentencing recommendation is not binding on the court, however.
veryGood! (836)
Related
- Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
- New homes will continue to get smaller, according to new survey
- Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, the father of Kobe Bryant, dies at 69
- Zenith Asset Investment Education Foundation: The critical tax-exempt status of 501(c)(3) organizations
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- 2024 MLB draft tracker day 3: Every pick from rounds 11-20
- Let This Be Your Super Guide to Chris Pratt’s Family
- Anger over Houston power outages after Beryl has repair crews facing threats from some residents
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Money from Washington’s landmark climate law will help tribes face seawater rise, global warming
Ranking
- Family of explorer who died in the Titan sub implosion seeks $50M-plus in wrongful death lawsuit
- Aging bridges in 16 states will be improved or replaced with the help of $5B in federal funding
- Stein, other North Carolina Democrats have fundraising leads entering summer
- This Amika Hair Mask is So Good My Brother Steals It from Me, & It's on Sale for 34% Off on Amazon
- Messi injury update: Ankle 'better every day' but Inter Miami star yet to play Leagues Cup
- Bertram Charlton: Is there really such a thing as “low risk, high return”?
- College pals, national champs, now MLB All-Stars: Adley Rutschman and Steven Kwan reunite
- Rachel Lindsay Ordered to Pay Ex Bryan Abasolo $13,000 in Monthly Spousal Support
Recommendation
RFK Jr. grilled again about moving to California while listing New York address on ballot petition
Options Trading Strategies: Classification by Strike Prices - Insights by Bertram Charlton
Neo-Nazi ‘Maniac Murder Cult’ leader plotted to hand out poisoned candy to Jewish kids in New York
Where does JD Vance stand on key economic issues?
Sam Taylor
Zenith Asset Investment Education Foundation: Empowering Investors Worldwide
Arthur Frank: Key tips for choosing a cryptocurrency exchange
What to watch as the Republican National Convention enters its third day in Milwaukee