CV NEWS FEED // An arsonist who set fire to an Oregon Catholic church has been sentenced to over three years in prison on charges of first-degree arson.
An article from Salem Reporter states that 49-year-old Billy J. Sweeten was sentenced to 38 months in prison on August 19 after pleading no contest to charges of arson.
Sweeten set fire to the recycling dumpster of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church before 2:30 a.m. on August 31, 2023. The fire damaged the main sanctuary and the roof of the church.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church is the oldest parish in Salem, Oregon, and serves about 3,500 parishioners, as CatholicVote previously reported.
The fire took about 90 minutes to subdue, Deputy Fire Chief Brian Carrara said, according to the Salem Reporter article. The same day, at noon, parishioners celebrated Mass in the parking lot under tents and umbrellas.
Carrara also said the losses totaled over $1 million. The church is aiming to raise $100,000 to cover the damage.
A post on St. Joseph’s Facebook page outlined the progress of the repair, stating, “The sand blasting of the walls is complete, and the workers continue to work on the roof to make sure everything is sealed before the rainy season. Saint Joseph, our patron, pray for us and those working on our church.”
Salem Reporter states that Sweeten was also convicted of damaging computer equipment at Salem Hospital on August 28, 2023, and pled no contest to charges of first-degree criminal trespass. He will concurrently serve 30 months for that sentence and 38 months for setting St. Joseph’s on fire.
Court records state that Sweeten’s address was Union Gospel Mission in Salem.
