A Mississippi man who vandalized a statue erected by the Satanic Temple of Iowa in the state Capitol last year is now facing a potential prison sentence after being charged with a hate crime. Michael Cassidy, a Navy veteran, was initially charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief, but prosecutors have now added a hate crime enhancement due to his statements indicating that he targeted the statue because of the victim’s religion. This has elevated the charge to a class D felony, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,245. According to prosecutors, the Satanists have estimated that it would cost between $750 and $1,500 to repair or replace the statue. This incident serves as a reminder that hate crimes can have serious consequences and will not be tolerated.
