Man Convicted of Arson and Civil Rights Violations for Church Fires in Mississippi

Man Convicted of Arson and Civil Rights Violations for Church Fires in Mississippi

GULFPORT, Miss. – A federal jury in Gulfport has convicted Stefan Day Rowold on six counts of federal arson and civil rights violations for vandalizing and setting fire to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Wiggins. The attacks occurred on July 5 and July 7, 2024, and prosecutors say Rowold targeted the church due to his disagreement with its religious beliefs.

Authorities reported that Rowold broke into the church, defaced interior walls with hateful messages, and set fire to the multipurpose room using the church’s hymnals as kindling. Two days later, he returned to the building and started another fire with cardboard and a piece of firewood, further preventing the congregation from holding services.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 14, 2026. Rowold faces significant prison time, including a minimum of five years and up to 20 years for each arson charge, up to 20 years for each civil rights violation, and a minimum of 10 years for the use of fire to commit a federal felony.

The case was investigated by the FBI Jackson Field Office with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Mississippi State Fire Marshal, and the Wiggins Police Department.

This conviction underscores the federal government’s commitment to protecting religious institutions and civil rights, sending a clear message that hate-motivated crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Authorities emphasized the importance of community vigilance and cooperation in reporting suspicious activity to prevent similar incidents in the future.