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

2025-05-02 01:39:16source:Navivision Wealth Societycategory:Scams

PROVIDENCE,Coxno 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

Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires

Global warming caused mainly by burning of fossil fuels made the hot, dry and windy conditions that

Howard University rescinds Sean 'Diddy' Combs' degree after video of assault surfaces

Howard University’s board of trustees voted to rescind an honorary degree presented in 2014 to Ameri

This summer's most anticipated movie releases | The Excerpt

Love movies? Live for TV? USA TODAY's Watch Party newsletter has all the best recommendations, deliv