Missouri Man Sentenced Over 9 Years for Cape Girardeau Church Arson

Christopher Scott Pritchard, 49, was sentenced to over nine years in federal prison for setting fire to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in April 2021. He pleaded guilty to felony arson and violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, which included a charge related to a building used in interstate commerce carrying a mandatory minimum five-year sentence. Pritchard had threatened to assault a bishop and burn the church down days before the fire. He was caught nearby with stolen church property, including electronics and other items, and smelled of smoke at the time of his arrest. The fire destroyed the church building, causing nearly $7 million in damages, which Pritchard was ordered to repay. No injuries were reported from the incident.