A Flint, Michigan man was charged last week in a criminal complaint with arson and other related offenses for setting fire to St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced.
According to the criminal complaint, in the early morning hours of August 30, 2025, St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, Michigan was intentionally set on fire. The incident was captured on St. Mark’s video surveillance cameras and shows a suspect, alleged to be Billy J. Chambers, setting the church on fire. In the video, Chambers brought a gas can wrapped in a black trash bag to the church and used an ignition device to set the church on fire. As a result of the fire damage, St. Mark was unable to hold services at the church for approximately two months.
Chambers has been charged with arson, obstruction of persons in the free exercise of religious beliefs and arson to commit a federal offense. Chambers faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and maximum sentence up to any term of imprisonment.
“This alleged attempt to burn down a church is yet another attack against Christians. But the Department of Justice will protect all Americans and their right to worship without fear,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon.
The investigation is being conducted by agents of the ATF and the Flint Police Department and being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Vance.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Michigan
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