Neo-Nazi Member Faces Charges for Church Attack ahead of Drag Show

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In a recent development, Aimenn D. Penny, 20, a resident of Alliance, Ohio and reputed member of a neo-Nazi group, faces serious charges of malicious use of explosive materials and possession of a destructive device in the US District Court in Cleveland. This comes on the back of an incident where Penny attempted to set a Chesterland, Ohio-based church, planning to host a drag show, ablaze.

The Department of Justice alleges that Penny employed Molotov cocktails against the Community Church of Chesterland, intent on reducing it to ashes. Heinous as the act is, it emphasizes the Department of Justice’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of Americans to free expression, as expressed by Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen.


The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identifies Penny as a member of “White Lives Matter”, a group known for its racist, pro-Nazi, and homophobic views. In a confession that alarms and appalls equal measure, Penny admitted his intent to burn down the Church using Molotov cocktails under the pretense of protecting children and preventing the drag show.

His drastic actions against the Community Church of Chesterland involved damaging the premises with what seemed like Molotov cocktails, leaving scorch marks at the front door and outside the building, and smashing a signpost. Investigators discovered pieces of broken glass from a vodka and beer bottle, each stuffed with a cloth-type material near the damaged door, along with a burnt matchstick and a plastic spray bottle full of gasoline.

Evidence gleaned from Penny’s cellphone painted him as the prime suspect, and a subsequent search of his residence unveiled a cache of incriminating items including a Nazi flag, a White Lives Matter T-shirt, and several suspicious objects such as a gas mask, rolls of blue painter’s tape, and gas cans. For his resistance to drag events, Penny was known to distribute propaganda flyers at such events expressing his disenchantment.

The Community Church of Chesterland, unfazed by troubling incidents of hate mail and threats of protests and violence, succeeded in hosting the event. Rev. Jess Peacock, expressing relief over Penny’s arrest, reiterated the Church’s commitment to continue with scheduled drag events.

While Peacock harbored no animosity toward Penny, he advocated for a strong legal recourse to deter similar attacks on religious institutions. Meanwhile, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler for the Northern District of Ohio underscored the necessity of peaceful discourse in resolving disagreements.

Penny’s conviction might result in him serving up to 20 years on the charge of malicious use of explosive materials and potentially 10 years for possession of a destructive device. His court hearing awaits in January 2024, and if found guilty, this will be a lesson that no violent means of disagreement are acceptable.