Evergreen Reporter

A Rhode Island man, Kevin Colantonio, has admitted in federal court to setting fires around a predominantly black church and assaulting federal officers. The incidents occurred in North Providence, RI, where Colantonio set multiple fires outside Shiloh Gospel Temple Ministries on February 11, 2024.

Colantonio used gasoline and a lighter to ignite the fires, causing damage that led to the cancellation of church services. The pastor had earlier reported an attempted break-in by a person later identified as Colantonio through surveillance footage.

During a search of Colantonio's residence on February 15, 2024, authorities found clothing matching what he wore during the arson and notebooks with disturbing writings targeting churches and racial groups.

In addition to the arson charges, Colantonio admitted to assaulting two federal correctional officers at Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility by throwing human waste at them.

Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom announced the guilty plea alongside officials from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter I. Roklan and Taylor Payne are prosecuting the case.

The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; North Providence Police Department; Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office; and United States Marshals Service.

Colantonio is scheduled for sentencing on May 27, 2025. The sentence will be determined by a federal district judge considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.