Two Men Allegedly Burn Down Catholic Church In Revenge Plot Ahead Of Holy Week

The Department of Justice announced Thursday that it charged two men in Columbia, Louisiana, with arson after they allegedly burned down a Catholic church ahead of Holy Week.

Authorities found that Anthony Dillon Jr., 19, and James Dale Smith IV, 21, broke into a church March 27 and set it ablaze, according to an official press release. Dillon Jr. and Smith were allegedly stealing power from the St. John’s Chapel for their home. After being confronted by church officials, and a separate man whom the two sold a broken television to, the men broke into the church, according to authorities.

🚨BREAKING NEWS: Two men now face federal charges – accused of burning down the only Catholic church in Caldwell Parish. The #FBI New Orleans is assisting @ATFNewOrleans, @LAFIREMARSHAL, and @CaldwellParishSO with the investigation.

Details, including the alleged motive are… pic.twitter.com/yLkBaXcfnM

— FBI New Orleans (@FBINewOrleans) April 2, 2026

Dillon Jr. and Smith allegedly broke a church window with a baseball bat and ransacked the building. The DOJ report also alleges that they stole at least three televisions and a sound system before setting the church on fire.

If found guilty, the two men face a minimum of five years in federal prison and a maximum charge of 20 years with a fine of $250,000. (Read more from “Two Men Allegedly Burn Down Catholic Church In Revenge Plot Ahead Of Holy Week” HERE)