Two Men Charged in Oregon, WV Church Arsons

Two men have been charged in separate church arson cases in Oregon and West Virginia. In Clackamas County, Oregon, 20-year-old Malachi Samuel Kercher was arraigned on first-degree arson, second-degree burglary, and criminal mischief charges after allegedly breaking into and setting fire to the Zion Mennonite Church, resulting in the suspension of church activities and $200,000 bail. In Clay County, West Virginia, 78-year-old William Stephenson was charged with first-degree arson and failure to register as a sex offender after admitting to setting fire to the vacant old Hartland Church, with his bail set at $150,000. Both suspects were apprehended at the scenes and significant fire damage was reported at each location. Law enforcement responded quickly, relying on eyewitness accounts, and investigations are ongoing. The motives behind both arsons have not been disclosed.