infoNorth Carolina man charged for threatening to burn down Virginia Beach African American church

North Carolina man charged for threatening to burn down Virginia Beach African American church

A North Carolina man has been charged after allegedly threatening to burn down a black church because one of the congregation\u00e2\u0080\u0099s leaders took part in a public prayer vigil and demonstration for George Floyd.

Prosecutors allege John Malcolm Bareswill, 63, called the church on June 7 and said \u00e2\u0080\u009cyou [racial slur] need to shut up\u00e2\u0080\u009d before he threatened to burn down the church. The call, which was on speakerphone, was heard by two adults and three children. He initially claimed to authorities that he didn\u00e2\u0080\u0099t make the call but his phone records showed otherwise.

\u00e2\u0080\u009cOur office takes seriously any threat to the lives and well-being of our fellow citizens,\u00e2\u0080\u009d said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. \u00e2\u0080\u009cThreats meant to silence or intimidate people because of their race or religion, like the one allegedly made here, have our highest priority. \u00e2\u0080\u009cNo one should be made to fear for their safety or the safety of their church for speaking out, and we will seek justice for victims of those who allegedly violate that right.\u00e2\u0080\u009d

Bareswill is charged with making a telephonic threat to use fire to kill, injure, or intimidate any individual, or unlawfully to damage or destroy a building.