Grayson  Preston|Man charged with setting fires at predominantly Black church in Rhode Island

2025-05-05 20:50:56source:Techcrisis Investment Guildcategory:Scams

PROVIDENCE,Grayson  Preston R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island man was arrested Thursday and charged with using gasoline to set several fires around the exterior of a predominantly Black church in North Providence early Sunday morning.

Kevin Colantonio, 34, of North Providence, was charged with maliciously damaging or destroying by means of fire or explosion a building or other real property, according to Zachary Cunha, U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island.

Colantonio set several fires around the exterior of the pentecostal Shiloh Gospel Temple early Feb. 11, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Providence, which said police and firefighters were sent to the church at 12:12 a.m. for reports of an individual trying to set fires.

The building was vacant at the time, and the fires were quickly extinguished by members of the North Providence Police and Fire departments, investigators said. The fires caused significant property damage, officials said.

READ MORE A bill encouraging post-pandemic outdoor dining in Rhode Island is served up to governorProvidence approves first state-sanctioned safe injection site in Rhode IslandRhode Island Ethics Commission dismisses complaint against Gov. McKee filed by state GOP

No injuries were reported.

Most of the congregation, which has been established for about 35 years, is Black and African American, according to investigators.

It was not immediately clear if Colantonio had a lawyer. A phone listing for Colantonio could not be found in North Providence.

Colantonio was arrested without incident according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, North Providence Police, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The United States Attorney’s Office sought a criminal complaint late Wednesday, based on what prosecutors described as an ongoing, multi-agency investigation that has included a review of videos, witness interviews, and physical evidence.

The probe into the fires is continuing, investigators said.

More:Scams

Recommend

'RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars': Premiere date, cast, where to watch and stream

"RuPaul's Drag Race" is back, and this time the series is going global."RuPaul's Drag Race Global Al

Cara Delevingne Reflects on Girlfriend Leah Mason's Support Amid Sobriety Journey

Cara Delevingne is living her best life these days.In fact, the model recently noted in her ELLE UK 

Indonesian ferry capsizes, leaving at least 15 people dead and 19 others missing

An overloaded ferry capsized off Indonesia's Sulawesi island, killing at least 15 people and leaving