The Indiana man accused of starting a fire at a Perrysburg mosque appeared before a federal judge Thursday morning.
Randy Linn, 52, faces two counts of federal hate crime charges. He pleaded not guilty to both.
If convicted, Linn faces up to 30 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines.
The charges stem from an arson fire set inside the prayer room of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo on September 30. Prosecutors say Linn set the fire using gasoline.
Linn, who is from St. Joe, Indiana, is charged with intentionally defacing, damaging, and destroying religious property because of the religious character of that property. He is also charged with using fire to commit a federal felony.
Law enforcement officials arrested Linn in Indiana after a woman recognized him in security photos released to the public.
The woman said Linn had made anti-Muslim comments after attacks on US embassies in the Middle East.
The US attorney for the Northern District of Ohio released a statement saying, "We will have zero tolerance for such violent acts of intolerance. Religious freedom is at the core of our country, and we will continue to aggressively prosecute such hate crimes whenever and wherever the evidence warrants."
Judge Armstrong ordered Linn to remain in jail as the case moves forward.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:24 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:24:16 GMT
The Memorial Day Parade will start at 10:00 AM. The parade is estimated to end at 12:00 PM. The route will start at Summit & Monroe. It will proceed north on Summit Street to Jackson Boulevard west on
The Memorial Day Parade will start at 10:00 AM. The parade is estimated to end at 12:00 PM. The route will start at Summit & Monroe. It will proceed north on Summit Street to Jackson Boulevard west on Jackson Boulevard to finish at the Civic Center Mall.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:22 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:22:36 GMT
High pressure will move in overnight tonight which will keep the clouds away and allow the winds to go calm. This will lead to unseasonably cold air Saturday morning. Lows are expected to be in the upper
A late season frost is expected Memorial Day weekend for parts of Ohio.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:22 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:22:02 GMT
American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio disaster volunteer Dean Sparks is traveling to Shawnee, Oklahoma on Saturday, May 25, 2013, to help assist people affected by the recent tornado disaster. Sparks
Local Red Cross volunteer and Executive Director at Lucas County Children Services, Dean Sparks, is being deployed to Oklahoma to help in disaster relief. Sparks will leave Saturday for Shawnee, Oklahoma to help those affected by the recent tornado outbreak.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:34 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:34:48 GMT
13abc and the Red Cross are teaming up for our Road to Recovery Phone Bank to provide information about helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters. Volunteers will be at the station
13abc and Red Cross teamed up for our Road to Recovery Phone Bank Thursday to provide information about helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:28 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:28:21 GMT
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) - The Washington State Patrol says the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon has collapsed, dumping vehicles and people into the water. Trooper Mark Francis
A truck hauling an oversized load of drilling equipment hit an overhead bridge girder on the major route between Seattle and Canada, sending a section of the interstate into the river below as the driver watched the structure collapse in his rearview mirror.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:22 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:22:36 GMT
High pressure will move in overnight tonight which will keep the clouds away and allow the winds to go calm. This will lead to unseasonably cold air Saturday morning. Lows are expected to be in the upper
A late season frost is expected Memorial Day weekend for parts of Ohio.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:22 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:22:02 GMT
American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio disaster volunteer Dean Sparks is traveling to Shawnee, Oklahoma on Saturday, May 25, 2013, to help assist people affected by the recent tornado disaster. Sparks
Local Red Cross volunteer and Executive Director at Lucas County Children Services, Dean Sparks, is being deployed to Oklahoma to help in disaster relief. Sparks will leave Saturday for Shawnee, Oklahoma to help those affected by the recent tornado outbreak.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:24 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:24:16 GMT
The Memorial Day Parade will start at 10:00 AM. The parade is estimated to end at 12:00 PM. The route will start at Summit & Monroe. It will proceed north on Summit Street to Jackson Boulevard west on
The Memorial Day Parade will start at 10:00 AM. The parade is estimated to end at 12:00 PM. The route will start at Summit & Monroe. It will proceed north on Summit Street to Jackson Boulevard west on Jackson Boulevard to finish at the Civic Center Mall.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:34 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:34:48 GMT
13abc and the Red Cross are teaming up for our Road to Recovery Phone Bank to provide information about helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters. Volunteers will be at the station
13abc and Red Cross teamed up for our Road to Recovery Phone Bank Thursday to provide information about helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornado and other disasters.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:03:13 GMT
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location. We're told an agreement allowing Diamond Crystal Brands to sell Splenda sweetener will expire at
A Perrysburg Township packaging plant is closing this summer, affecting 126 employees at the location.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:57 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:57:54 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A proposed constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana and certain uses of hemp has cleared Ohio's ballot board. The panel's approval Thursday sends the issue into its
A proposed constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana and certain uses of hemp has cleared Ohio's ballot board.
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