A Christian and US Navy veteran beheaded a satanic Baphomet statue at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines in December 2023, which was placed there shortly before Christmas. He’s now been charged with a “hate crime.” What wrong with hating evil, perversion, demonic entities and loving your fellow man enough that you would destroy that which is evil? Nothing.
Independent Journal Review reports:
Prosecutors in Iowa have charged a Christian military veteran with a hate crime after he vandalized a satanic statue that was placed in the state’s Capitol last month in Des Moines.
Michael Cassidy beheaded the statue on Dec. 14 after it had been placed in the building by the Satanic Temple before the holidays.
He discarded the head in a nearby trash receptacle.
State law permitted the blasphemous symbol in the building because the satanic group identifies as a religious organization.
Cassidy admitted that he destroyed the group’s statue and was initially charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor.
However, Cassidy took to X and pointed out that they are pulling out the big guns for him with more charges to come.
I’ve been notified of more potential legal charges unfortunately, so I’ve opened the legal fund donation back up.
All donations in excess of what is directly related to my defense shall be donated to a Christian legal fund.
Thank you again.
— Michael Cassidy ✝️ ?? (@Mike_Cassidy_MS) December 15, 2023
IJR continues:
However, the Des Moines Register reported Tuesday that Polk County prosecutors have now charged Cassidy using Iowa’s hate crime statutes.
They claim he violated the civil rights of the state’s avowed satanists — triggering the hate crime enhancement.
“Evidence shows the defendant made statements to law enforcement and the public indicating he destroyed the property because of the victim’s religion,” Polk County Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Lynn Hicks said.
He is now charged with felony third-degree criminal mischief — a hate crime because Hicks said the statue was destroyed “in violation of individual rights.”
It is not clear what punishment the attorney’s office will seek in court.
Hicks argued the statue, which is of the pagan idol Baphomet, incurred between $750 and $1,500 in damages. That range would make the crime an aggravated misdemeanor.
However, the Iowa Satanic Temple claims the statue will cost $3,000 to repair, bumping the charge up to a felony.
A lawyer for Cassidy has not yet commented on the charging enhancement.
But as the Register noted, attorney Sara Pasquale previously accused the satanists of making noise publicly and in court filings only to “evoke strong emotions and incite others.”
Cassidy said after he smashed the group’s statue that he had acted out of a sense of duty.
“I saw this blasphemous statue and was outraged,” he told The Sentinel. “My conscience is held captive to the word of God, not to bureaucratic decree. And so I acted.”
JUST IN: A Mississippi man is now being charged with a hate crime for allegedly destroying a Satanic Temple holiday display at the Iowa State Capitol in December. https://t.co/iPg7P87EAq pic.twitter.com/Jh6x4nioMe
— WJTV 12 News (@WJTV) January 31, 2024
Cassidy has received quite a bit of support as other Americans recognize him as a hero.
This man is a hero
— One Bad Dude (@Dorf73256527) December 28, 2023
Based. pic.twitter.com/WvFlVm2gJi
— ZNO ?? (@therealZNO) December 28, 2023
Michael also continues to edify his X followers in the following tweets.
Great question @elonmusk.
Thanks to everyone who’s been supportive, I truly appreciate it. It’s important to remember what Jesus said in John 16:33 “…In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
I’ll have more to say soon. https://t.co/C5gnSqYqH0
— Michael Cassidy ✝️ ?? (@Mike_Cassidy_MS) January 31, 2024
Paul felt the same, as we all do @sovereignbrah. Solution is to do as Christ teaches and repent ?
Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. https://t.co/mSAxyrrCWI— Michael Cassidy ✝️ ?? (@Mike_Cassidy_MS) January 17, 2024
Some say “who cares about Satanic altars. They don’t harm anyone!”
An Iowa dad sent me an angry email, angry because he couldn’t show his kids the Satanic altar after I destroyed it.
The presence of evil can harm children! We should not tolerate evil!
— Michael Cassidy ✝️ ?? (@Mike_Cassidy_MS) January 10, 2024
Remember that our nation’s decline is not inevitable. When we push back, we can win.
And more importantly, regardless of apparent political victories or losses, be at peace knowing God is sovereign over all. https://t.co/bsicFBDYoB
— Michael Cassidy ✝️ ?? (@Mike_Cassidy_MS) January 9, 2024
Matthew 18:6 KJV – “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” pic.twitter.com/hBSND1y909
— Michael Cassidy ✝️ ?? (@Mike_Cassidy_MS) January 4, 2024
Cassidy also encouraged other states to follow the lead of Michigan Representatives Josh Schriver, who is going to push to strip tax exempt status from non-theistic churches.
Great news @repjoshschriver.
I hope other states follow this path. https://t.co/JLe3SkSp6R— Michael Cassidy ✝️ ?? (@Mike_Cassidy_MS) January 3, 2024
Here’s a few interviews with Cassidy on this story.
The man who beheaded the Satanic statue in the Iowa State Capitol, @Mike_Cassidy_MS, explains why he destroyed the idol. pic.twitter.com/UK6RtnSqiT
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 28, 2023
In my opinion, Cassidy did what was right, just as King Josiah did when he understood the law and then went and tore down the high places of false worship. Remember, there is no God-given right to worship false gods, period.
