Court filings: Inclusive policies provoked arson fires at Douglas churches

The man accused of setting fire to two neighboring historic churches in Douglas last month was motivated by animosity toward inclusive policies the churches have, specifically toward women and gay people holding authority positions, prosecutors allege in court documents.

Though no one was injured, a daycare center that is next door to St. Stephen’s was open and had children in it at the time of fire. First Presbyterian had also set up cots on-site in anticipation of housing migrants’ families following the end of Title 45. No migrants, however, were in the church. ATF agents later found that only one blue Pontiac Aztec was registered to an individual living in Douglas. The individual was later identified as Ridenour and agents served a search warrant on his house and vehicle, the complaint said.

On June 2, special agents interviewed the pastor of the Bisbee church who said Ridenour asked him to lunch and told him he didn’t believe women should be in positions of authority in the church, the motion said. After that day, Ridenour and his wife never returned to the church. The motion claims that evidence exists that shows that Ridenour had visited St. Stephen’s in 2021 to asked about their beliefs. Some time that same year, the pastor at St. Stephen’s said he had met with Ridenour’s wife and a man who matched Ridenour’s description, the motion said.

Although these incidents happened more than two decades ago, the motion said they show a pattern of someone who caused or threatens harm when he encounters conflicts with others. Nancy Janeth Arce, the attorney for Ridenour, argued that there were no eyewitnesses who saw Ridenour set the fires and there was no forensic evidence that tied him to it. Arce also said he is “free to have his beliefs” and has been a law-abiding citizen for the past 25 years.

Since the fire, he said they have been receiving mostly love from the community but had received some online hate comments about the fire. One comment in particular said the fire was"God’s judgement on us," Collins said.

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