Virginia Teen Pleads Guilty to Setting Black Church on Fire

Jean-Claude Bridges also admitted that race played a factor in choosing the church.

Posted: 01/10/2013 02:52 PM EST
Virginia Teen Pleads Guilty to Setting Black Church on Fire

Virginia teen Jean-Claude Bridges has pleaded guilty to setting a predominantly Black church on fire. The 18-year-old appeared in court Tuesday and admitted to starting the fire at the New Holy Deliverance Outreach Ministry in Axton, Virginia, on May 20, 2012, along with another male teen.

The Martinsville Bulletin reports that Bridges also admitted that race played a factor in the arson crime adding that "he burned down the church because of the race, color and ethnicity of its congregation."

He could be sentenced up to 20 years in prison and/or fined up to $250,000.

BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

Videos You May Like

Comments

African-Americans on Forbes Most Powerful Women List 2013

See where Michelle Obama, Oprah and others rank. 05/23/2013

The 411 on Seasonal Allergies

What you need to know about allergies. 05/22/2013

How You Can Help the Victims in Oklahoma

The Red Cross, Salvation Army and more ways to give. 05/21/2013

Out and About: Jaden Smith Goes to Dinner in London

Plus pics of Rita Ora, Janet Jackson, MJB and more. 05/24/2013

The Rundown: French Montana, Excuse My French

A track-by-track review of the Bronx rapper's debut LP. 05/20/2013

Bump Watch: Celebrity Pregnancy Denials

Bey, Brandy and other stars plagued by baby rumors. 05/21/2013