Navy Veteran Charged with Hate Crime for Beheading Satanic Temple Statue

Michael Cassidy faces felony charges after admitting to destroying the controversial display in the Iowa State Capitol, citing religious motivations.

Michael Cassidy, a 35-year-old Navy veteran and former Mississippi congressional candidate, has been charged with a hate crime after admitting to beheading a Satanic Temple statue that was on display in the Iowa State Capitol in December.
The Satanic Temple of Iowa had received permission from the state to display a Baphomet statue in the state capitol building, which drew strong criticism from state and national leaders.
Cassidy was initially charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor, but the Polk County Attorney’s Office later upgraded the charge to third-degree criminal mischief in violation of individual rights, a class D felony, under Iowa’s hate crime statute.
Cassidy, a Christian, told the conservative website The Sentinel that he destroyed the statue to 'awaken Christians to the anti-Christian acts promoted by our government'.
Cassidy's arraignment is set for February 15, and he has raised more than $84,000 for his defense from nearly 2,000 supporters, according to the fundraising site GiveSendGo.