Christian Veteran Who Beheaded Satanic Altar At Iowa Capitol Charged With Hate Crime

Remember the evil ‘holiday display’ set up by the Satanic Temple in the Iowa Capitol building this past December?

You know, the one with the Baphomet goat head and altar to Satan?

This is what @KimReynoldsIA has allowed to be installed in the Iowa State Capitol

It is a Satanic altar and idol pic.twitter.com/otgC4sKkC3

— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) December 11, 2023

We reported on it back in December. We also brought you the story of Michael Cassidy – the Christian Navy veteran who beheaded the vile statue.

JUST IN: Satanic Idol At Iowa State Capitol Reportedly BEHEADED By Christian Veteran

After tearing down and decapitating the Satanic altar, Cassidy was charged with a misdemeanor. At the time, he spoke out, saying, “my conscience is held captive to the word of God, not to bureaucratic decree. And so I acted.”

Now, however, Cassidy is being charged with a much more serious offense - a hate crime felony...

Under Iowa's hate crime statute, Cassidy is accused of being 'in violation of individual rights.'

If convicted, he could face up to 5 years in prison.

US Navy veteran Michael Cassidy was literally charged with a hate crime for destroying a Satanic Temple display at the Iowa Capitol building…. A U.S. NAVY VETERAN…

How can this be a hate crime??
When did America become so evil and allow such things to stand??… pic.twitter.com/ghvrr1gUPQ

— The doppelgängers 🇺🇸 (@Marcie2316) January 31, 2024

As many social media users pointed out, the hate crime charge seems really hypocritical, considering what left-wing activists have been doing for years...

Violent activists tore down dozens of statues including Columbus, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. None were held accountable or charged with a hate crime.

Michael Cassidy knocks over a Satan statue made out of household items and gets charged with a hate crime.

Welcome… pic.twitter.com/NdS70sXQKi

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 31, 2024

Christian Veteran, and former congressional candidate Michael Cassidy, walked into the Iowa Capitol and saw a depiction of pure evil. The Satanic Temple set-up a wicked horned deity statue in the Capitols lobby.

Cassidy removed it, stating “My conscience is held captive to the… pic.twitter.com/KkdpEZe2q7

— 🇺🇸ProudArmyBrat (@leslibless) January 31, 2024

The Post Millennial has more details on this outrageous update:

Michael Cassidy has been charged with a hate crime for beheading a statue of Satan at the Iowa Capitol. Cassidy drove up to Iowa after the Satanic display was erected in the state capitol and took it down. He will be arraigned on February 15.

Polk County prosecutors charged Cassidy with felony third-degree criminal mischief, saying that he acted "in violation of individual rights" under Iowa's hate crime statue, the Des Moines Register reports.

Cassidy had been charged with a misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal mischief the day after the beheading but had been informed that he may be liable for further charges.

Spokesman for the Polk County Attorney's Office Lynn Hicks said that "Evidence shows the defendant made statements to law enforcement and the public indicating he destroyed the property because of the victim’s religion." This is what resulted in the hate crimes charge.

The Des Moines Register provided local coverage:

A Mississippi man who admitted to destroying a statue of the pagan idol Baphomet at the Iowa Capitol has been charged with a hate crime.

The statue was part of a display organized by the Satanic Temple of Iowa under state rules allowing religious displays in the Iowa Capitol during the holidays. The installation drew strong criticism from state and national leaders, including Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis. On Dec. 14, the centerpiece of the display, a figure depicting the horned deity Baphomet, was "destroyed beyond repair," according to the Satanic Temple of Iowa.

Michael Cassidy, a former congressional candidate from Mississippi, was charged the following day with fourth-degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor. The Lauderdale, Mississippi, man told the conservative website The Sentinel that “My conscience is held captive to the word of God, not to bureaucratic decree. And so I acted.”

Now, Polk County prosecutors have accused Cassidy of a more serious offense. A charging document made public Tuesday charges him with felony third-degree criminal mischief and notes that the act was committed "in violation of individual rights" under Iowa's hate crime statute.

Michael Cassidy's arraignment is scheduled for February 15.

He has already raised over $100K for his legal defense.

If you want to donate, you can click here to visit his GiveSendGo page.

Michael Cassidy, the Christian veteran who beheaded a Satanic statue in the Iowa Capitol, has been charged with a hate crime and now faces five years in prison.

Consider donating as @RepubSentinel continues to raise funds for his legal defense.https://t.co/3rWzP0rrgt

— The Sentinel (@RepubSentinel) January 31, 2024